idéaliste

Idéaliste is a French term used as both noun and adjective. In general use, it translates to “idealist” and denotes a person who strives to realize high moral or social goals, often prioritizing ideals over practical constraints. The adjective describes attitudes or positions guided by such ideals.

In philosophy, idéaliste designates a follower of idealism, a family of theories that hold that mind, spirit, or ideas constitute, or are fundamental to, the structure of reality. There are several strands, including subjective idealism (as in Berkeley) and transcendental idealism (as in Kant), and absolute or objective idealism (as in Hegel). The term can describe a position or a thinker within these traditions.

In everyday rhetoric, an idéaliste may be praised for vision and principled stands or criticized as impractical or naïve, especially when ideals appear disconnected from material conditions. The contrast with réalisme (realism) is common in political and cultural discourse.

Historically, idealism has played a central role in European philosophy and in social and political thought, influencing movements that advocate universal rights, education reforms, or moral philosophy. The French usage mirrors both the descriptive and evaluative senses found in other languages, making the term versatile across academic and popular contexts.