BLACK Idealism & idealism

Sualiha Khan Class XI

Humans are constantly torn between halves of Reality: between ends of a spectrum and opposites of an idea—all of which suggest a divorce from the other half od Reality, since choice becomes the soul of Being. This element of choice, which waltzes simultaneously with triumph and tragedy on the stage of life has embraced both ruins and revelries. It has been, as far back as time stretches, a red hot, sizzling piece of iron in the embrace of time, that has seared and re-seared our destinies on our bare souls. Such souls were Don Quixote and La Palisse, both of whom have become pillars to the shrines of a certain Black and White of life: Idealism and Realism respectively. Thus, as said by Albert Camus, on all essential problems(meaning those that run the risk of leading to death or intensifying the passion for living), there are but two methods of thought: the method of Don Quixote and the method of La Palisse.

If idealism embraces subjectivity, Realism is a pillar of Objectivity; if Idealism embodies the hazy hues of abstractions painted on a white canvas, Realism is that white canvas. Realism is the belief in an objective Reality independent of the human mind and experience; a belief that the sole form of existence is the material existence or concrete existence, it is then no surprise that Aristotle, the father of the scientific method, is also the Father of Realism. This philosophy makes existence richer and duller at the same time—it places central importance on this world, while it also strips humanity of any hopes of a promised land or Faith on a Higher Being. Perhaps the most fitting worldview of Realism was given by Douglas Adams n his book ‘ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’: “Isn’t it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?” While idealism and realism are both two ends of a spectrum, there is no denying that the philosophies are drenched in skepticism and existential angst.