pHILOSOPHY Of IDEALISM--- The word idealism may be derived from ideals or idea.so according to idealism,higher values are much more significant in human life than anything else.This philosophy seeks to explain man and universe in terms of spirit or mind.it is a philosophy evolved by Plato,the great philosopher of all ages.            CHIEF CHARACTERISTICS OF IDEALISM------a)Besides the physical or material universe,there is also a spiritual universe.They spiritual universe is that in which GOd is the creator and others are created.Hu man mind is a part of the universal mind and is dependent of HIM.       b)Idealism believes that man is a mere animal.He is essentially a spiritual being whose chief aim is to develop his spiritual nature.It is this spirituality that distinguishes man from other lower creatures.                                                             C)Idealisms has full faith in eternal values which never change.They can never be created nor destroyed .According to Plato,the outstanding eternal values are truth,goodness,and beauty.                                 D)The knowledge which is gain through the activity and creativity of mind is more important than the knowledge acquired through senses.                                                     SUPPORTER Of IDEALISM. ---- the idealistic school of philosophy is represented by Plato,Comenius,Kapila,Kant,Pestalozzi,Froebel,Tagore and Gandhi.                                        Idealism and aims of education.                     -+++++----------------------------------------                     some of the important aims of idealism are--                                                                         1)The foremost aim of education should be the exaltation of the self which means self realization .Educational should help the individual to become a man of perfect personality.                                                             2)Idealism should be universal without any distinction of caste,creed,color or social status.                                                                      3)man should not accept his physical environment as unchangeable .He should rather change and modify that environment according to his needs and would it according to his own purposes through his inventive and creative skills.       4)Man himself is the creator of cultural environment.idealism gives importance to the culture and suggests that each child should enter into the cultural heritage of mankind.A man should contribute to the enrichment of that culture.                                 5) The last important aim of education ,according to idealism,is the development of the moral sense of the child ,so that he may be able to distinguish between right and wrong.Education should develop the will power of the child so that he may be able to follow the good and reject the evil.                   Idealism and curriculum.                                  -----------------------------------------                                 Idealism aims at developing a true sense of appreciation of truth .goodness,And beauty,which means the attainment of spiritual perfectiion.Idealistic curriculum provides for the training and cultivation  of the  intellectual ,moral and aesthetic activities.FOr the aesthetic and moral development  fine arts,poetry,ethics,and religion  are provided.It also includes  physical exercises,physical hygiene,gymnastics and athletics.                     Idealism and method of teaching.                    --------------------------------------------------                    idealism has provided some certain teaching techniques---  questioning,discussion,lecture method,single and group projects, and lecture method.                                                     Idealsm and discipline                                       ------------------------------------                                    idealist are not in favor of free discipline.they feel that strict discipline is essential for self realization .The teacher should make the environment suitable for his students to realize the higher values of life through self discipline.It may again be noted that idealist are not against freedom.   Idealism and teacher.                                         ----------------------------------the place of teacher in idealism is very high.He is a practical man and leads an ideal life.His personality is a source of inspiration for his students to  follow.He acts as a friend ,philosopher and a guide.                                                                   Demerits of idealism.                                         ---------------------------------                                         1) idealism is against the interests of the individual.                                                             2) it supports superstitious beliefs.                    3) it does not advocate any special method of education.                                                           4) it is not in favor of free discipline.               5) idealism supports conservativeness.