The word "idealism" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has an idealistic view or attitude, which may involve believing that the world can, or should, be better than it currently is. For example, "He was a political leader who embodied the principles of idealism."
(His remarks recall his complaint, at a conference in China in 2009, that Hong Kong was "too free" and consequently "very chaotic").But many of the city's cultural figures appear to have viewed the demonstrations as capturing the mood of the city's young people; some may, like Mr Ho, have been inspired by their idealism: "The students have reminded us that it's important to have ideals," he says.
Despite everything, the Kennedy brand still stands for idealism – for the ambition of the moon landing and the call to public service enshrined in one of his most popular programmes, the Peace Corps.
Now I fear the greatest threat is defeatism dressed up as idealism.
I'm a sucker for the pace and idealism of The West Wing.
Only a few months out of university and full of youthful idealism, I assured the two man panel that I wanted to work in the NHS because of its public service ethos.
But he defended the idealism of the young women, who were working on their own health and clean water initiative, known as Horryaty.
But I think it's driven less by idealism than by a necessary realism.
It's a story of human spirits swallowed by idealism and by fate, with an unusual and sometimes archaic style as Hemingway tries to convey a distinct Spanishness; it also gave us "feeling the earth move" as an image of sex.
The Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust employ skilled professionals who may be motivated by idealism, but their day-to-day work is resolutely pragmatic.
We're not used to idealism and unbridled optimism in those who are not young, so where does Boyle's come from?
Yet he can't help but reject Sweden's social idealism, and even hanker after the tormenting certainties of his youth.
