(ˈ)ī|dē(ə)ˌlizəm, -diəˌl- sometimes ˈī_dēəˌ- or ˈī_diə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from German or French; German idealismus, from French idéalisme, from idéal + -isme -ism
1. : a theory that affirms that mind or the spiritual and ideal is of central importance in reality: as
a. : a theory that regards reality as essentially spiritual or the embodiment of mind or reason especially by asserting either that the ideal element in reality is dominant (as in Platonism) or that the intrinsic nature and essence of reality is consciousness or reason (as in Hegelianism) — called also metaphysical idealism
b. : a theory that identifies reality with perceptibility or denies the possibility of knowing anything except psychical reality and proceeds from the affirmation that the mental life alone is knowable to a dogmatic dualism (as in Cartesianism and Lockeanism) which in metaphysics results in realism, to a subjective idealism in metaphysics (as in Berkeleianism), or to solipsism or skepticism (as in Humism) — called also epistemological idealism ; see absolute idealism , monistic idealism , objective idealism , personal idealism , pluralistic idealism , subjective idealism , transcendental idealism
2.
a. : the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence : tendency to idealize
b. : something that is idealized : an ideal representation or experience
3. : literary or artistic theory or practice that values ideal or subjective types or aspects of beauty more than formal or sensible qualities or that affirms the preeminent value of imagination as compared with faithful copying of nature — opposed to realism