Idealism in education is a philosophical doctrine that emphasizes the mental or spiritual aspects of experience. It posits that reality, as humans can know it, is fundamentally mental, mentally constructed, or otherwise immaterial. Education in an idealist framework focuses on cultivating the mind.
Plato, the father of idealism, believed that the material world is a shadow of the true reality which is unseen and eternal. In the context of education, this translates to a focus on ideas rather than on the physical world. The role of education, therefore, is to help students recognize and recall the knowledge that is already innate within them.
The ultimate goal of idealist education is to develop individuals who are capable of thinking and living according to the highest ideals. It is not just about transferring knowledge but about transforming the individual. For idealists, the mind is the path to understanding reality, and education is the means by which the mind can achieve its fullest potential.
(Response: Idealism in education is the belief that true knowledge and reality come from within the mind, and the purpose of education is to develop and guide individuals to realize their innate potential and live up to their true purpose.)