Ideals determine the content and direction of human life. They give it meaning and purpose. It is assumed that an ideal is something perfect, permanent, valuable, certain and inviolable. The term "ideal" refers to the Platonic category of ideas, which indicates that it is an ideal state that is also difficult to achieve. Despite the belief in universality, ideals may change depending on the era, type of culture, and level of civilization development. Modern culture imposes specific ideals. When choosing ideals, critical reflection and support are necessary, especially for young people. The article was prepared on the basis of a semantic analysis of the source content. It is based on methodological principles defined within the framework of analytical philosophy and the hermeneutics of scientific texts. Its cognitive value can be read from the perspective of general pedagogy and educational theory. The article is an attempt to answer the following questions: How is the name "ideal" understood? What is the genesis of this category? What developmental consequences can be generated by adopting the category of the ideal in life?