idealism

Plural: idealisms

Noun

• The practice of forming and pursuing high or noble goals.
• (philosophy) the philosophical theory that ideas are the only reality
• impracticality by virtue of thinking of things in their ideal form rather than as they really are
• elevated ideals or conduct; the quality of believing that ideals should be pursued
• The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.
• The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.
• An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.

Examples

• Despite his idealism, he knew that sometimes a small, ugly word was the best tactical move.

Synonyms

high-mindedness, noble-mindedness, philosophical idealism

Antonyms

materialism

Related Words

idealist, idealistic, idealistically, materialism, perfectionism, physicalism, pragmatism, realism