The world has always been defined by multiple theories. Both modal realism and idealism are philosophical approaches that explain the relationship between the world and our mind. The two terms differently explain the possibility or impossibility of existence of an appropriate world.
In philosophy, idealism defines a list of metaphysical philosophies. Idealism asserts that reality is immaterial or else mentally constructed. The theory manifests on the possibility of mind-independent thing. Unlike materialism, idealism insists that the prerequisite and origin of material phenomena is primacy of consciousness. In this case, the theory argue that consciousness determines and builds the world and not the vice versa. Idealism theories are divided into objective and subjective (Kripke, 2017). Subjective idealism posits seeing of the existing world as a combination of sensation. On the other hand, objective idealism explains the sense that exists independently on humans. On the sociological sense, idealism foregrounds how human values, beliefs and idea shape the world.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The earliest argument on idealism was discussed in India and Greece. The idealists in India gave panentheistic arguments. The arguments were for an all-pervading consciousness as the real nature of reality. However, the impact of idealism as a philosophy was first felt in the west at the turn of the 20 th century. The philosophy concept came as influential critics of ontological and epistemological idealism. During this era, many paradigms and aspects gained a significant influence on subsequent philosophy (Kripke, 2017). Idealism influenced science, politics, and art among other fields. The theory revolved around the notion that mind is the cue direction in which people perceive the world. The theory influenced the limits of human cognition.
Modal realism is a set of connected theories on based reality. The view argues that all possible worlds have similar characteristics with the actual world. The term possible world reflects its use to analyze possibility, necessity, and similar modal notions (Noonan & Jago, 2017). In this case, actual world is merely one among an infinite chain of possible worlds. The min subjects of modal realism are possible worlds exist, are similar, irreducible entities, and indexical.
Modal realism has proved to be historically resilient. The approach received numerous criticisms on what is called extreme realism. For instance, in 20 th century, Lewis raised several objections that influenced the world. In this context, if a world X held event M then it is right to say another world Y held event M (Noonan & Jago, 2017). The counterfactual is later analyzed and viewed in terms of possible world. The call for analyzing the concept stems from the approach of totality of possible world.
Historically, modal realism has been refereed to possible world semantics. The theory as set as a mechanism to interpret the epistemic modals such as probably, should, could, and possibly. The contradictions on these notions have resulted to existence of different world formulations. Different theories in this form give diverse modal claims based on the concept of multiple worlds. The theory influenced the Transworld identity (Noonan & Jago, 2017). For instance, in 1968, Hubert Humphrey lost the presidential elections to Richard Nixon. The result was unexpected and many people believed that Humphrey became a president in another world. Since many believed that Humphrey will win, the theory by Lewis was employed to describe possible worlds to be concrete with distinct objects that do not overlap.
Idealism and modal realism are two different theories that have fading similarities and shouting differences. The main difference is the inclusion of emotions. Idealism helps the individuals to view things in a hopeful manner. The theory helps people to approach and solve issues through their own ideas. On the other hand, modal realism helps people to see situations without emotional involvement. In this case, modal realism forces people to handle a situation in its original form. Secondly, idealism tends to be a bit more positive than modal realism (Lane, 2017). The way the two theories perceive carry out tasks and perceive things are different. On the favor to modal realism, idealism is less goal-oriented and thorough. Modal realism helps the individuals who are lofty-ambitious and lack focus and clarity to handle situations in an achievable way.
The theories of modal realism and idealism have shaped the philosophical thought in different ways in the 21 st century. The theories have shaped the way people think about the universe, society ad world. Previously, people were limited to a Biblical theory that restricted many from having free thoughts. For instance, people in the 21 st century can interpret scriptures depending on their revelation. In this case, the theory of idealism helped the century to make interpretations parallel to their understanding. On the other hand, the theory of modal realism allows people to attack chief obstacles to free thought such as superstition and religious fanaticism.
Conclusion
The discussion within the paper pushed me to relate my current world and my emotional imaginations. In this case, I discovered that philosophical approaches are not proven rather assumptions based on a person’s interest. Therefore, the paper has changed me to focus on my reality in my own world and dismiss all other narrated concepts.
References
Kripke, S. A. (2017). History and Idealism: The Theory of RG Collingwood. Collingwood and British Idealism Studies, 23(1), 9-29.
Lane, R. (2017). Peirce on Realism and Idealism. Cambridge University Press.
Noonan, H., & Jago, M. (2017). Modal realism, still at your convenience. Analysis, 77(2), 299-303.
