Man has two facts Spiritual and Material. When the emphasis is on the realization of spiritual life, it is called idealism.
Idealism is the oldest theory of philosophy. It reflects in the complete history of philosophy. It is born out of Plato's 'Theory of Ideas'. According to this, the ultimate supremacy is of ideas.
The word idealism has been derived from the word idea. It should be taken as that of ideas and not to be confused with philosophy of ideals. Plato and other idealism philosophers believed that only ideas are permanent.
Idealism holds that the essential nature of man is spiritual which is revealed in mental, religious and aesthetic areas. To them spiritual world is more important than material world. This spiritual world is a world of ideas and feelings. To idealists 'Mind and Soul' are more important rather than Matter and Body. These ideas art eternal and unchanging
The important definitions regarding idealism are as follows:
According to Dutta, "Idealism holds that ultimate reality is spiritualism."
According to Ross, "To Idealistic Philosophy spirit is the essential world stuff and true reality is of a mental character."
Supporters of Idealism-Protagonists of idealism are Plato, Socrates, Kant, Hegal, Green, Gentile, Vivekanand, Mahatma Gandhi and Dayanand.