Idealism, Origin, Etymology and meaning
“Idealism: philosophy emphasizing ideas shaping reality. Originating in German “Idealismus,” influential thinkers include Plato, Kant, and Nietzsche.”
idea
The word idea originates from Greek word idea that means “idea”, “form,” “pattern,” or “concept,” and it originates from the ancient Greek word “idein,” which means “to see.
In ancient Greek philosophy, the term “idea” referred to the underlying form or essence of things, and was associated with the concept of universals. The idea of universals was that there are common characteristics that all things of a certain type share, such as the “form” or “idea” of a tree.
Plato’s philosophy developed the concept of ideas further, by introducing the idea of Forms (capital “F”). In Plato’s philosophy, Forms are the ultimate reality and the source of all knowledge. The Forms exist independently of the physical world and are perfect, immutable, and universal. For example, the Form of Beauty is the ultimate source of all beautiful things in the physical world.
The word “idea” was later adopted into Latin as “idea,” and has been influential in many different fields, including philosophy, literature, art, and science. Today, “idea” refers to a concept or notion formed in the mind, often used in the context of creative or intellectual activity.
The Origins and Meanings of Ideology
The word “ideology” comes from French “idéologie,” coined by Antoine Destutt de Tracy in 18th century. Refers to a set of beliefs or principles that form the basis of political, economic, or social system. Can be found in many fields and may be associated with inflexibility or used neutrally.