Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Recently, I experienced a significant transformation in my life. After enduring years of frustration and months of careful planning, I finally made a long-awaited move to Australia, arriving in Sydney just a few days ago. As I work on establishing a new life in this unfamiliar place, I take moments to pause and absorb my surroundings, allowing myself to contemplate what lies ahead.

The early morning hours provide the perfect backdrop for this reflection. The pre-dawn calls of kookaburras greet a sunrise that is merely a faint blush in the eastern sky, far over the Pacific horizon. It is during these tranquil moments that I immerse myself in the ocean. By the time I return to tackle the day's challenges, the fierce southern sun is already blazing down on the bush, awakening cicadas and beachgoers alike.

In these moments, floating in an ocean that was once a distant dream, the future unfolds like an open book, filled with endless possibilities. Even what once seemed solid appears more fluid and uncertain. The notion that things can be different from their current state becomes increasingly tangible. Even the most unyielding truths about the world suggest they may not be as fixed as they seem—much like the gentle waves surrounding me.

This sense of dynamism, of continuous movement and potential, embodies the spirit of idealism. It resonates with anyone who has ever been driven by their aspirations. While the core experience remains consistent, it manifests in various forms across different cultures and eras. Although diverse expressions of idealism may vary widely, the underlying mindset is recognizable across time and geography.

As I drift in the ocean, I recall a former schoolmate who, like many idealistic teenagers, embraced communism fervently shortly after turning fifteen. At the time, I struggled to comprehend his passion; the communist focus on labor and class struggle never resonated with me. I now understand how Marxism's framework simplifies social complexities, offering bright young minds a sense of intellectual empowerment—a "master key" to understanding the world. Its calls for revolution and action against perceived injustices continue to attract youth today, echoing the fervor of Marx's Victorian London.

However, communism offers more than just a theory; it promises a radical transformation of society's structure and essence. It envisions a profound shift in human relationships, emerging from a society that has reached a particular developmental stage. Much like a phase transition that transforms a liquid into a perfect crystal, it suggests a swift, imminent change into a more organized form. For idealistic youth, like my friend, this notion can be electrifying. While communism's doctrines may be rigid and rooted in the so-called "exact science" of Dialectical Materialism, the envisioned transformation resonates with the transitional state of adolescence. Just as adolescents stand on the brink of maturity, society too is poised for a significant change, its old habits mere vestiges of immaturity.

Yet, this idealistic perspective is deeply flawed, often ignoring the bloodshed and failures that have characterized communism's history. To the idealist, who perceives the world as fluid and changeable, facts become secondary. My friend, in his youthful Marxism, embodied this idealism, even if his career now lies in a tax office.

Having distanced myself from Marxism and its modern ideological descendants, I recently revisited the concept of idealism through the lens of medieval Muslim scholar Al-Ghazali. His work, Tahāfut al-Falāsifa (The Incoherence of the Philosophers), sparked significant intellectual discourse in 11th-century Islamic culture. Al-Ghazali critiqued the philosophers of his time, asserting that Reason is contingent upon the will of God. His mystical perspective, deeply rooted in medieval Islamic thought, arguably shifted the intellectual trajectory of Islam, moving it away from the rigorous inquiry that characterized earlier periods. Yet, similar to the adolescent Marxist, Al-Ghazali's ideas reflect a belief in a reality that is malleable and susceptible to transformative will.

However, this idealism is fraught with dangers. The legacy of communism is marked by violence and oppression, while the fanaticism that stifles reason and humane development continues to afflict many Islamic societies today. The assumption that reality is merely contingent can lead to disastrous outcomes when reason and critical thinking are sacrificed for dreams. Without the belief that reality can accommodate aspirations, human progress would stagnate. This delicate balance between the potential for change and the perils of idealism is an inescapable part of conscious life.

Chapter 2: The Dangers of Visionary Idealism

The video titled "Marx says we must change material conditions in order to change ideas - David Harvey" explores the fundamental premise of Marxism that societal change is contingent upon altering the material conditions of life. It emphasizes the necessity of addressing these foundational aspects to bring about meaningful change in ideas and consciousness.

In social contexts, idealism can become tyrannical when rigid expectations dictate how individuals should behave. Visionary idealism often lacks patience for nonconformists and tends to ignore the complexities of human nature. History shows that attempts to reshape reality through enforced social arrangements have rarely succeeded, often leading to significant suffering, as evidenced by the tragedies of communism.

A second pitfall lies in neglecting the existence of an objective reality that surpasses even the most ambitious idealistic visions. This combination of solipsism and arrogance can hinder idealists from genuinely engaging with the world. However, a properly observed and engaged reality reveals boundless wonder. This is the essence of science—its openness not only grounds idealism but also allows for the discovery of new possibilities.

Drifting on my back in the ocean, I contemplated these thoughts, recognizing that idealism can thrive without coercion. The idea that the world may be different from its surface appearance, intertwined with the potential of conscious dreaming and willing, can exist without leading to negative consequences. Such a form of idealism can persist long into adulthood, free from the pitfalls that often accompany youthful enthusiasm.