Description:
Stressing the central role of ideas and spiritual things in interpreting human experience. Holding that reality exists essentially as consciousness; that abstractions and conceptual forms are more fundamental reality than sensory things or, at least, that whatever exists is known to man in dimensions that are chiefly mental, through and as ideas.
Context:
Philosophically, idealism contends that the object is dependent on the experiencing subject. It is opposed to materialism, realism, scepticism and positivism.
Claim:
Idealism is a helpful tool for those analysing the basic ontological categories of philosophy and for those investigating the fundamental natures of light, energy, matter, and life.
Counter Claim:
Like most philosophical strategies, this approach is helpful for the individual practising it, but has no effect on society at large.
Type Classification:
D: Detailed strategies