Idealism — A metaphysical position holding that reality is fundamentally mental or ideal in nature. Subjective idealism (Berkeley): only minds and their ideas exist. Transcendental idealism (Kant): we cannot know things in themselves, only the world as structured by the mind. Absolute idealism (Hegel): the real is the rational; reality is the development of Spirit (Geist) coming to know itself. Opposes realism and materialism.


Glossary