If you do an Internet search on the term “idealism”, you get a variety of definitions
and a bunch of quotes. These are both helpful and confusing and I’ll use this first
blog entry to see where I can add some clarity and also provide you with some
challenging questions to reflect upon.
Definitions and Quotes
“The cherishing or pursuit of high or noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.
Something idealised, or an ideal representation.” – Dictionary.com
“Idealism is the philosophical theory which maintains that experience is ultimately
based on mental activity. In the philosophy of perception, idealism is contrasted with
realism, in which the external world is said to have an apparent absolute existence.”
– Wikipedia
There are many frameworks in which to explore idealism, from philosophy to
religion, from transcendentalism to ontological studies.
Many of these frameworks however refer to a comparison between how things
really are and how things could be, or we wish they were.
There are countless famous quotes on idealism, with the far greater number of them
referring to idealism being the realm of innocence, naiveté and youth, and that
idealism is discarded and replaced with a practical and realistic view of the world
that adults work with.
For example:
“Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.” –
William F. Buckley Jr.
Some quotes refer to idealism as the foundation of creativity and innovation.
For example:
“Idealists…foolish enough to throw caution to the winds…have advanced mankind
and have enriched the world.” – Emma Golman
And there are quotes that refer to idealism has a useful starting point that often
never amounts to anything tangible because idealists don’t put their good ideas,
values and noble concepts into practical application.
For example:
“Idealism springs from deep feelings, but feelings are nothing without the formulated
idea that keeps them whole.” – Jacques Barzun
What does this mean in today’s reality?
Some people believe that “idealism” is a construct of Western culture and
philosophy only. That isn’t true in the slightest, but instead idealism is celebrated or
discounted in different ways in all cultures.
Many could easily argue that human existence can be challenging and that because
of those challenges, people need to focus on the realities of their situation and strive
to survive and where possible thrive. This view of the world will often discount
idealism as a “nice to have” but impractical to the reality of survival.
Others hope for a better reality and future but may not have the faith that it is
possible.
To help distinguish the difference between hope and faith in this context, imagine
that hope is wishing you’ll win the lottery but you never get around to buying a
ticket. Faith is buying the ticket and recognising you have just as much of a chance
of winning as anyone else who has purchased a ticket.
Therefore where idealism is a hope-based mechanism, not much every changes
because the faith isn’t there and there’s little to no action to try to create the
idealised state.
Where idealism is faith-based, many things are possible because there is a core
belief that the desired stated is possible, although it may be challenging to achieve.
I believe that people don’t “buy into” idealism because they don’t have faith that it’s
possible and/or they don’t have faith in their own abilities or the abilities of others
to demonstrate consistent attitudes and behaviours that could eventuate in the
ideal state.
Essentially, I believe people “opt out” of trying.
They “opt out” of demanding more of themselves and others.
They have lost faith and therefore have ceased any effort (or maybe they never put
in any effort at all) toward creating the ideal.
What could this mean if we stretch ourselves?
I’ve rewritten this paragraph so many times that I’ve decided to simply give a starting bullet point list of the possibilities. (The list could go on forever! These are just a few!)
The sentence starts, “If I/we pursued idealism more constructively, effectively and consistently, then…”
- I would be happier with my life.
- I would be happier with the choices I make.
- I would be happier in my relationships.
- I would be more proud of my accomplishments.
- I would be accepting of my strengths.
- I would be more engaged in creating the quality of my life I want.
- I would be more resilient.
- I would be more optimistic.
- I would get the service I expect from the businesses I am a customer of.
- I would be a better role model to my children, employees, colleagues, customers, neighbours, government representatives, strangers, etc.
- I would compliment others.
- I would apologise when it’s appropriate for me to do so.
- I would give constructive feedback because it’s the wise and helpful thing to do, even if the conversation itself might be difficult.
- I would share my wisdom, knowledge, skills, talents, etc with others because it’s good for them and those that would be impacted by this sharing, including myself.
- I would be more committed to my own awareness and development.
- I would inspire others to be more committed to their awareness and development. We could work on these areas together.
- I could have a positive impact on public policy.
- I could have a positive impact on environmental policy.
- I could have a positive impact on the authenticity and integrity of leadership in business, community and government.
- We could increase how common “common sense” is.
- We could save our planet from the destruction we’re causing, or at least contributing to.
- We could reduce the levels of human suffering.
- We could reduce the levels of suffering of all life.
- We could save species from disappearing.
- We could learn from each other more effectively.
- We could celebrate diversity with greater rewards, including respect, for all.
- We could bravely challenge and change what we know to be “wrong”.
- We could drive equality for all.
- We could drive education for all.
- We could have a more peaceful society.
- We could help people be more willing to see the good in the world and to use that good, the strengths, to overcome the bad, the weaknesses.
Reflection Questions
Every blog entry on this website includes some questions provided to assist with
your reflection and processing of the information presented.
- What insights, ideas and/or questions has this blog entry created for you?
- What opportunities and choices do these insights inspire you to consider?
- Who could you discuss this blog entry with? What do you imagine the benefits of doing so might have for you, them and potentially others?
The High-Idealist Challenge
Every blog entry on this website includes a challenge for you to consider taking up, which could support your development as a high idealist and/or the development of others.
- As a result of the Reflection Questions AND conversations you’ve had with others about this topic, what are you COMMITTING to doing?
Be specific about when you’ll do this, how, where, and with whom. You may also wish to explore why you are doing this (purpose and benefits) and/or what you’d be putting to risk if you did nothing. Write down your
commitment or declare your commitment to someone else. Put a plan in place if necessary, and follow through on your commitment. Ensure you remember to celebrate your efforts, regardless of the outcomes achieved in
the short term. This will inspire you to continue to put in high-idealist efforts.
- With regard to your commitment from the above point, how specifically will your actions demonstrate the High Ideals Values of Integrity, Positive and Impact?
NOTE: All Reflection Questions and The High-Idealist Challenge are based on the 70:20:10 model of learning. To read more about this, click here.
I HAVE TURNED OFF COMMENTS FOR THIS POST BECAUSE OF SPAMMERS who have found some way of getting their comments automatically approved before I get a chance to delete them. Their behaviour is NOT very High Ideals!