Physicalism vs. Idealism — What's the Difference?

In philosophy, physicalism is the metaphysical thesis that "everything is physical", that there is "nothing over and above" the physical, or that everything supervenes on the physical. Physicalism is a form of ontological monism—a "one substance" view of the nature of reality as opposed to a "two-substance" (dualism) or "many-substance" (pluralism) view.

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.

The doctrine that all that exists is ultimately physical.

The unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection

(philosophy) A philosophical position holding that everything which exists is no more extensive than its physical properties; that is, that there are no kinds of things other than physical things, which all are of logically procedural nature, based on fundamental laws at their deepest level of causality.

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.

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that matter is the only reality

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

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

Idealized treatment of a subject in literature or art.

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

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

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