Real & Ideal

Polarity number two is REAL & IDEAL. While this pair may at first seem prosaic or obvious, it is highly useful and applicable to many life situations. Without the moderation and challenge of the other, each of these poles can be problematic. Realism without idealism can lead to a cynical acceptance of a dysfunctional status quo. And conversely, idealism that is unrealistic can result in ineffectual wishful thinking. But when these two poles become mutually co-correcting, they can increase our power to improve things.