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Idealism

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Deciding whether idealism or realism is more prevalent in today's society is a difficult thing to undertake. Firstly there is no single demographic, rather society is comprised of many different types of people. In normal or 'western' society our ideals and philosophies are different to 'eastern' and other societies. Also even within a society we have the problem of defining 'idealism' and 'realism'.

In actual fact realism is far more prevalent than idealism, but in areas of little importance and not entirely philosophical areas either. In everyday life we are more likely to act according to realistic values (such as economical influence) rather than according to idealistic values such as from religious influence. Most of us would prefer buying food to going to a church, simply because of the necessity. And of course most Christians have little issue with buying food, showing idealism and realism can coincide in many areas.

After all idealism was based on realism, and grew from within reality, thus many idealistic concepts are heavily influenced by realistic situations. 'Thou shalt not steal', for instance, has a very logical and utilitarian background. If everybody stole the world economy would collapse and lead to anarchistic situations. Thus idealism and realism are not entirely separate entities.

To define 'idealism' and 'realism' I will use the thinking related to these concepts, rather than acting by them. As I have already observed we all act realistically, and are forced to or heavily influenced to by our situations, and thus it is only in thinking and more flexible or moral areas that idealism has much influence.

On an intellectual plane idealism has much more power. We can imagine much more than can happen, and as such morals and other idealistic or semi-idealistic thoughts and connected actions are possible in some situations. But in mos situations morals have little power. Following morals will not re-fill your petrol tank, or buy your groceries.

However within the intellectual plane idealism is very predominant in areas dealing with idealism. That is to say that more people considering moral issues side with the moral rather than objective or scientific argument. Note that as observed before morals and reality are not always disconnected entirely and are often very strongly parallel and linked to one another as in the case of 'Thou shalt not steal'.

Thus whilst we act almost invariably in a realistic fashion, much of our opinions regarding moral areas tend to side with the religious or idealistic side. And in many people without of an occupation, there opinions on it tend to be more idealistic than realistic. We complain about bad service at a restaurant. But we are not the waiter who is pressed for time.

Therefore one can see how in many cases idealism is more prevalent than realism, but not in those more utilitarian regions of our existence. Besides a few areas the law in the more developed countries, for instance, is mostly devoted to following realistic standards. However those people without of an occupation or holding little knowledge of an area tend to think idealistically about it, and thus, in he area where I daresay we are referring to, idealism is certainly prevalent, if not predominant.

Learn more about this author, Mark Waybill.
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