理想論(りそうろん)

りそうろん
noun
idealistic argument; wishful theorizing
cognitioncommunication
1. idealistic argument; an argument that ignores practical constraints
A position that is admirable in principle but takes no account of what is actually possible. Almost always used critically, to dismiss a proposal as unworkable.
それは理想論(りそうろん)にすぎない。
That is nothing more than an idealistic argument.
理想論(りそうろん)ばかりでは問題(もんだい)は解決(かいけつ)しない。
Nothing but idealistic arguments will not solve the problem.
予算(よさん)も人手(ひとで)も足(た)りない現状(げんじょう)では、その計画(けいかく)は理想論(りそうろん)だと言(い)われた。
Given the current shortage of both budget and staff, the plan was called wishful theorizing.

理想(りそう) (ideal) + 論(ろん) (argument, theory). The 論(ろん) suffix names a position or line of argument, as in 悲観論(ひかんろん) (pessimistic view) or 楽観論(らっかんろん) (optimistic view).

Common collocations

  • 理想論(りそうろん)にすぎない: to be nothing but an idealistic argument
  • 理想論(りそうろん)を語(かた)る: to talk in idealistic arguments
  • 理想論(りそうろん)ばかり: nothing but idealistic arguments
  • ただの理想論(りそうろん): mere idealistic argument

Register

The word carries built-in criticism, so it is not used of one's own proposal except self-deprecatingly. Common in debate, business meetings, and political commentary.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 机上の空論 (armchair theory)
general
Added 2026.8.8 21:24 · Revised 2026.9.17 12:56
30500/30500_risouron