Idealism

Idealism is a philosophical approach that has as its central tenet that ideas are the only true
reality, the only thing worth knowing. In a search for truth, beauty, and justice that is enduring
and everlasting, the focus is on conscious reasoning in the mind. Plato, father of Idealism,
espoused this view about 400 years BC, in his famous book, The Republic. Plato believed that
there are two worlds. The first is the spiritual or mental world, which is eternal, permanent,
orderly, regular, and universal. There is also the world of appearance, the world experienced
through sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound, that is changing, imperfect, and disorderly. This
division is often referred to as the duality of mind and body. Reacting against what he perceived
as too much of a focus on the immediacy of the physical and sensory world, Plato described a
utopian society in which "education to body and soul all the beauty and perfection of which they
are capable" as an ideal. In his allegory of the cave, the shadows of the sensory world must be
overcome with the light of reason or universal truth. To understand truth, one must pursue
knowledge and identify with the Absolute Mind. Plato also believed that the soul is fully formed
prior to birth and is perfect and at one with the Universal Being. The birth process checks this
perfection, so education requires bringing latent ideas (fully formed concepts) to consciousness.
Realism
Realists believe that reality exists independent of the human mind. The ultimate reality is the
world of physical objects. The focus is on the body/objects. Truth is objective-what can be
observed. Aristotle, a student of Plato who broke with his mentor's idealist philosophy, is called
the father of both Realism and the scientific method. In this metaphysical view, the aim is to
understand objective reality through "the diligent and unsparing scrutiny of all observable data."
Aristotle believed that to understand an object, its ultimate form had to be understood, which
does not change. For example, a rose exists whether or not a person is aware of it. A rose can
exist in the mind without being physically present, but ultimately, the rose shares properties with
all other roses and flowers (its form), although one rose may be red and another peach colored.
Aristotle also was the first to teach logic as a formal discipline in order to be able to reason about
physical events and aspects. The exercise of rational thought is viewed as the ultimate purpose for
humankind.

Pragmatism (Experientialism)
For pragmatists, only those things that are experienced or observed are real. In this late 19th
century American philosophy, the focus is on the reality of experience. Unlike the Realists and
Rationalists, Pragmatists believe that reality is constantly changing and that we learn best through
applying our experiences and thoughts to problems, as they arise. The universe is dynamic and
evolving, a "becoming" view of the world. There is no absolute and unchanging truth, but rather,
truth is what works. Pragmatism is derived from the teaching of Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-
1914), who believed that thought must produce action, rather than linger in the mind and lead to
indecisiveness.

Existentialism
Existentialism – A Definition
Existentialism in the broader sense is a 20th century philosophy that is centered upon the analysis of existence and
of the way humans find themselves existing in the world. The notion is that humans exist first and then each
individual spends a lifetime changing their essence or nature.

In simpler terms, existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through
free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The belief is that people are searching to find out who and what
they are throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook. And personal
choices become unique without the necessity of an objective form of truth. An existentialist believes that a person
should be forced to choose and be responsible without the help of laws, ethnic rules, or traditions.

Existentialism – What It Is and Isn’t

Existentialism takes into consideration the underlying concepts:

 Human free will

 Human nature is chosen through life choices
 A person is best when struggling against their individual nature, fighting for life
 Decisions are not without stress and consequences
 There are things that are not rational
 Personal responsibility and discipline is crucial
 Society is unnatural and its traditional religious and secular rules are arbitrary
 Worldly desire is futile

Nihilism
Nihilism – Abandoning Values and Knowledge
Nihilism derives its name from the Latin root nihil, meaning nothing, that which does not exist. This same root is
found in the verb “annihilate” -- to bring to nothing, to destroy completely. Nihilism is the belief which:

 labels all values as worthless, therefore, nothing can be known or communicated.

 associates itself with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism, having no loyalties.

The German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), is most often associated with nihilism. In Will to
Power [notes 1883-1888], he writes, “Every belief, every considering something true, is necessarily false because
there is simply no true world.” For Nietzsche, there is no objective order or structure in the world except what we
give it.

Materialism Naturalism
Naturalism - Philosophical and Theological Disposition
Naturalism, commonly known as materialism, is a philosophical paradigm whereby everything can be explained in
terms of natural causes. Physical matter is the only reality -- everything can be explained in terms of matter and
physical phenomena. Naturalism, by definition, excludes any Supernatural Agent or activity. Thus, naturalism is
atheism. Naturalism's exclusion of God necessitates moral relativism. Philosophers agree, without God there is no
universal moral standard of conduct.

Materialism - Definitions & Doctrines

Materialism can refer either to the simple preoccupation with the material world, as opposed to intellectual or
spiritual concepts, or to the theory that physical matter is all there is. This theory is far more than a simple focus
on material possessions. It states that everything in the universe is matter, without any true spiritual or intellectual
existence. Materialism can also refer to a doctrine that material success and progress are the highest values in life.
This doctrine appears to be prevalent in western society today. Materialism can also refer to the term, Cultural
Materialism.
Postmodernism
Postmodernism – A Description
Postmodernism is difficult to define, because to define it would violate the postmodernist's premise that no definite
terms, boundaries, or absolute truths exist. In this article, the term “postmodernism” will remain vague, since
those who claim to be postmodernists have varying beliefs and opinions on issues.

Are nationalism, politics, religion, and war the result of a primitive human mentality? Is truth an illusion? How can
Christianity claim primacy or dictate morals? The list of concerns goes on and on especially for those affected by a
postmodern philosophy and lifestyle. For some, the questions stem from lost confidence in a corrupt Western world.
For others, freedom from traditional authority is the issue. Their concern centers around the West’s continued
reliance on ancient and traditional religious morals, nationalism, capitalism, inept political systems, and unwise use
and adverse impact of promoting “trade offs” between energy resources and environment, for economic gain.

According to the Postmodern Worldview, the Western world society is an outdated lifestyle disguised under
impersonal and faceless bureaucracies. The postmodernist endlessly debates the modernist about the Western
society needing to move beyond their primitiveness of ancient traditional thought and practices.

Their concerns, for example, often include building and using weapons of mass destruction, encouraging an
unlimited amount of consumerism thus fostering a wasteful throwaway society at the sacrifice of the earth’s
resources and environment, while at the same time not serving the fair and equitable socioeconomic needs of the
populace.

Postmodernists believe that the West’s claims of freedom and prosperity continue to be nothing more than empty
promises and have not met the needs of humanity. They believe that truth is relative and truth is up to each
individual to determine for himself. Most believe nationalism builds walls, makes enemies, and destroys “Mother
Earth," while capitalism creates a “have and have not” society, and religion causes moral friction and division among
people.

Postmodernism claims to be the successor to the 17th century Enlightenment. For over four centuries, “postmodern
thinkers” have promoted and defended a New Age way of conceptualizing and rationalizing human life and
progress. Postmodernists are typically atheistic or agnostic while some prefer to follow eastern religion thoughts and
practices. Many are naturalist including humanitarians, environmentalists, and philosophers.

They challenge the core religious and capitalistic values of the Western world and seek change for a new age of
liberty within a global community. Many prefer to live under a global, non-political government without tribal or
national boundaries and one that is sensitive to the socioeconomic equality for all people.