Chapter 15
Idealism
1. (a) According to Bhava Vada, the content of knowledge has/ does not have an independent existence.
Answer: No, it is not.
(b) According to idealism, the subject of knowledge is determined by knowledge.
Answer: No, it is not.
(c) Idealism acknowledges/does not acknowledge the primacy of the mind.
Answer : It does.
2. Give a brief answer:
(a) What is idealism?
Answer: The doctrine of the nature of the subject matter of knowledge according to which the independent, mind-neutral existence of knowable objects is denied is called idealism.
(b) What are the other types of idealism?
Answer: There are three types of idealism . They are as follows:
(1) Subjective Idealism
(2) Objective Idealism
(3) Phenomenalistic Idealism
3. Write the differences:
realism and idealism.
Answer: According to realism, the subject of knowledge does not depend on the independent existence of the mind. Things exist independently beyond our knowing or not knowing. Knowledge has no intrinsic relation to objects. All objects of knowledge have independent existence. There is a material world in the mind.
According to idealism, things depend on the mind. Things that our minds cannot know do not exist. The existence of objects cannot be controlled by the mind. According to the prophets, the mind or soul is the supreme being. Everything is inside the mind. They think of the world of the mind as more realistic than the world of matter.
4. Discuss idealism as a doctrine about the nature of the content of knowledge.
Answer: According to idealism, everything depends on the mind. The contents of knowledge depend on the knowing mind with their own qualities. Therefore, according to the prophets, there is an inseparable relationship between the knower and the knowable. They believe that there is nothing but the perception of the mind. There is no independence of the external world outside the mind. According to the prophets, the mind or soul is the supreme being. Everything is inside the mind.
5. What are the characteristics of idealism? discuss.
Answer: The characteristics of idealism are:
(1) According to idealism, the existence of the object of knowledge depends on the mind. According to the prophets, the object of knowledge does not have a mind-neutral independent existence. Prophets do not consider the existence of things that our minds cannot know to be true.
(2) According to the proponents of idealism, the mind takes precedence over objects. Because the existence of worldly things is controlled by the mind. According to them, the external world cannot be found without the existence of the mind. According to the prophets, the external world cannot exist without a conscious mind.
(3) The thinking of the prophets is entirely purposeful. In other words, there is a purposeful world behind the thinking of the prophets. This purposeful world is one that is spiritual in nature. The purposeful world is eternal, continuous and immortal.
(4) Idealism believes in the existence of God, soul, mind, etc. Prophets consider God, soul, and mind to be entities. According to idealism, God is not separate from the world. As the Supreme Being, God is pervasive in the very process of the world. God is the main purpose and driving force of this universe.
(5) Prophets emphasize values. Proponents of idealism offer an objective basis for moral values. In this regard, prophets assert that values are above the individual or society. According to them, self-knowledge is the supreme value, all other values are subordinate to it. Prophets believe that individuals are moral actors who can discover values.
(6) Prophets recognize the importance of human existence. People are the center of the world, nothing can be thought of without people. Although man is part of this worldly process, he is a spiritual being. Because man cannot be transformed into inert things.
