Realism, also known as mimesis and verisimilitude is the representation of things as they appear or “rendering of precise details” of something or a scene as it is-close to reality. Fidelity of representation may sometimes demand that the realist fiction be judged against its corresponding with the things and events in the real-world. Realism according to Pam, was used in the first times to designate one of the branches of medieval philosophy that was concerned with the reality of ideal essences or universals, although it latter found its use in unrelated fields.
There is evidence that realism has been used in many forms and definitions. Realism also rejects the impractical and visionary, and in arts it concentrates on the real and tangible things. Goldblatt views that it played an important role in influencing the modern Europe because it encouraged “individuals to remove the influence of abstracts from their lives” and enabled them to have a more realistic look at their future and purpose. Although realism contributed in the understanding of the concepts and environment through provision of an ideal approach, it also left out in art the hope and love in their work. It resulted in a more accurate work of art but also that were boring without the hope and love, in addition to shunning altruistic and romantic ideas.
The idea put forward by an idealist philosopher is that the mind exists but the physical reality-which is our sense of the external mind doesn’t exist. However, when this assumption is put to practical test, there is indication that some ideas may not stand the test of practice. For example jumping off a plane would expose somebody to the truth of physical reality and fasten or not fasten to the parachute and the results would follow appropriately. While idealism does not seek to explain the existence of the things we see, history evolution of man and other things, realism does. Realism has evolved to the point where there is required to specify the subject of matter under discussion. For example, realism in science, mathematics, and other fields-a thing that has been termed as natural realism.
Progressive realism is more than an advancement of realism and cardinal doctrine of tradition realism. Realism may be further termed as progressive or conservative, and therefore carry the same issues of redefinition as realism. While realism has evolved and developed in association to particular subjects or topics in question, in practice, a progressive theorist would advance theories or policies that champion for security of citizens as relating to modern issues and happenings, maintenance of an international and domestic economy that is strong, and would combine soft and hard power.
It has been proposed that a progressive realist should focus on modern issues and contribute to promote or improve certain aspects of the globe. These includes, mediating international disputes, promoting an open international economy and commons, and developing international rules and institutions. It can be seen therefore that progressive realism focuses also on advancement of the ideas of the realism in practice as affecting people. This is in contrast to the basic ideas of idealism which refutes existence of physical reality.
It can therefore be noted that realism and idealism tend to mostly be theories which may not necessarily be interlinked with practical aspects during development, progressive realism build on realism more of an applied version.
References
Nye Joseph. Progressive Realism. 2006. The Bangkok Post. 2009. Web.
Philosophy: Idealism vs. Realism: 2009. Web.