Idealism vs. Cynicism — What's the Difference?

In philosophy, idealism is a diverse group of metaphysical views which all assert that "reality" is in some way indistinguishable or inseparable from human perception and/or understanding, that it is in some sense mentally constructed, or that it is otherwise closely connected to ideas. In contemporary scholarship, traditional idealist views are generally divided into two groups.

An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others

The unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection

A scornfully or jadedly negative comment or act

Any of various systems of thought in which the objects of knowledge are held to be in some way dependent on the activity of mind.

Cynicism The beliefs of the ancient Cynics.

The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal and often impractical form.

(uncountable) A distrustful attitude.

Pursuit of one's ideals, often without regard to practical ends.

(uncountable) An emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.

Idealized treatment of a subject in literature or art.

(countable) A skeptical, scornful or pessimistic comment or act.

(Philosophy) The theory that the object of external perception, in itself or as perceived, consists of ideas.

The doctrine of the Cynics; the quality of being cynical; the mental state, opinions, or conduct, of a cynic; morose and contemptuous views and opinions.

The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.

A cynical feeling of distrust

The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.

(philosophy) An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.

The quality or state of being ideal.

Conception of the ideal; imagery.

The system or theory that denies the existence of material bodies, and teaches that we have no rational grounds to believe in the reality of anything but ideas and their relations.

The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns; - opposed to realism.

A belief in the feasibility of the implementation of ideal principles and noble goals, and the practice or habit of pursuing such goals; - opposed to realism and cynicism.

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that ideas are the only reality

Impracticality by virtue of thinking of things in their ideal form rather than as they really are

Elevated ideals or conduct; the quality of believing that ideals should be pursued