der
Idealismus
🤔 What does Idealismus mean?
Der Idealismus is a multifaceted term in German, corresponding to idealism in English. It primarily refers to two concepts:
- Philosophical Doctrine: A worldview that gives primacy to ideas, spirit, or consciousness over matter. Reality is understood as mental or ideal. Famous proponents include Plato, Hegel, and Kant. This is often referred to as philosophischer Idealismus.
- Personal Attitude: A striving for high ideals and values, often associated with selflessness and belief in the goodness of humanity or the improvability of the world. This attitude can sometimes be seen as detached from reality or naive (often pejoratively: naiver Idealismus).
It's an abstract noun, usually used without an article or in the singular with der.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ismus → mostly masculine.
-us/-uss/-uß → mostly masculine.
Including -ismus nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Tourismus)
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Idealismus
Der Idealismus is a masculine noun. It is generally used only in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. A plural form (die Idealismen) is very rare and typically refers to different philosophical currents of idealism.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Idealismus |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Idealismus |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Idealismus |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Idealismus |
Example Sentences
- Der deutsche Idealismus hatte großen Einfluss auf die Philosophie des 19. Jahrhunderts.
(German idealism had a great influence on 19th-century philosophy.) - Sein jugendlicher Idealismus ließ ihn an eine bessere Welt glauben.
(His youthful idealism made him believe in a better world.) - Manchmal steht ihr Idealismus praktischen Lösungen im Weg.
(Sometimes her idealism gets in the way of practical solutions.) - Dem Idealismus Kants folgend, steht die Vernunft im Zentrum.
(Following Kant's idealism, reason is central.)
💡 Usage and Context
The term Idealismus is used in various contexts:
- Philosophy & Humanities: Here, it clearly refers to the philosophical movement and its variants (e.g., deutscher Idealismus - German Idealism, subjektiver Idealismus - subjective idealism).
- Everyday Language & Psychology: Here, it describes a personality trait or attitude. The connotation can be positive (selfless, value-oriented) or negative (naive, detached from reality, unrealistic). Context is crucial for interpretation.
- Politics & Society: Here too, it describes an attitude oriented towards ideals, often contrasted with Pragmatismus (pragmatism) or Realismus (realism).
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand whether the philosophical term or the personal trait is meant and what connotation is implied.
🧠 Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Many abstract concepts ending in -ismus in German are masculine: der Idealismus, der Realismus, der Kapitalismus. Think of
der Ismusas the masculine marker for worldviews or doctrines.
Meaning Mnemonic: Idealismus comes from Ideal (ideal). It's about chasing ideals (personal attitude) or seeing the world through the lens of ideas / ideals (philosophy).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- For the attitude: Weltverbesserung (world improvement), Schwärmerei (idealistic enthusiasm, sometimes gushing), Utopismus (utopianism), Philanthropie (philanthropy), Optimismus (optimism, partially)
- For the philosophy: (depending on the school) Spiritualismus (spiritualism), Immaterialismus (immaterialism)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- For the attitude: Realismus (realism), Pragmatismus (pragmatism), Zynismus (cynicism), Egoismus (egoism), Pessimismus (pessimism)
- For the philosophy: Materialismus (materialism), Realismus (realism), Empirismus (empiricism), Naturalismus (naturalism)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Realist den Idealisten: Glaubst du wirklich, dass alle Menschen gut sind?
Antwortet der Idealist: Nein, aber ich behandle sie so, vielleicht werden sie es dann!
Translation:
The realist asks the idealist: Do you really believe that all people are good?
The idealist replies: No, but I treat them as if they are, maybe they'll become so!
📜 Poem about Idealismus
Der Idealismus, ein hoher Flug,
Der Geist formt Welt, genug, genug!
Nach Sternen greifen, kühn und rein,
So soll die bessere Zukunft sein.
Doch mahnt der Realist im Raum:
Ist's Wirklichkeit? Ist's nur ein Traum?
Translation:
Idealism, a lofty flight,
The mind shapes world, enough, enough is right!
Reaching for stars, bold and pure,
Thus shall the better future endure.
But the realist warns within the space:
Is it reality? Or just a dream's trace?
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin eine Sicht auf die Welt, nicht aus Stein,
Setze den Geist über materiellen Schein.
Manchmal werd' ich naiv genannt,
Strebe nach Gutem, reich' die Hand.
Philosophen wie Kant gaben mir Gewicht,
Was bin ich, sag's ehrlich, fürchte dich nicht?
Translation:
I am a view of the world, not made of stone,
I place the mind above the material shown.
Sometimes I'm called naive, it's said,
I strive for good, with helping hand outstretched.
Philosophers like Kant gave me my might,
What am I? Tell me truly, have no fright.
Solution: der Idealismus (idealism)
➕ Further Information
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word is composed of:
- Ideal: From Latin idealis = "corresponding to the archetype", from Greek idéa = "archetype, form, appearance"
- -ismus: Suffix used to denote a doctrine, worldview, mindset, or movement (equivalent to English -ism).
Cultural Significance: Der deutsche Idealismus (German Idealism, approx. 1780-1840), featuring figures like Kant, Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel, is one of the most significant periods in the history of philosophy and has influenced thought worldwide.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Idealismus?
The German word Idealismus is masculine. The correct article is always der: der Idealismus. It describes both a philosophical movement and a personal attitude focused on high values.