I was seeing if anyone out there was playing as a White Mage? I'm no expert on magic as I've only just started my first Mage character ever in the 3 Elder Scrolls I've played. But the Idea of being one intrigues me. What would the build and philosophy be for such a character?

The idea behind would be try and kill the least amount of enemies possible, if death couldn't be avoided it would have to occur the least violent way as possible. So no Destruction magic or Conjuration, Restoration would be the main magic school (and yes it is a valid school) supported with Illusion and Alteration. Wards and barriers along with fear and calm spells to battle enemies and Frenzy as a last resort. Alchemy will be just as important, using it for restore and fortify potions, no damage potions. No slaying of any animals, even hostile one and no wearing of any furs. Enchanting can only be used for boosting stats, no destruction. If you RP then no cooking with meats, just vegetables.

It would be a challenge to play the game in this way, and I may explore it soon.

Good idea or bad idea?

Combat is sort of what this game hinges on. It might not be that fun to miss out on all of the skill increases/quests/enemy loot that battling enemies entails.

There's a youtube out there which demonstrates that it's feasible (at least for awhile).

Frenzy would be a no-no.

Well lemme put it this way.
Don't expect to be able to leave the cities. Don't expect to play on above apprentice difficulty. Don't expect to be able to do more than 5 quests.
P.S. Be an altmer (if you're mana pool gets depleted you're screwed) and no robes for you armor.

It should be very doable, I know people have done it in the other TES games.
Illusion gets really strong if you put enough points in it. Don't underestimate the power of Sneak and Invisibility either, if your enemy doesn't see you, there won't be a battle either

I'm not saying you can't kill anything, that would be impossible and take fun away from the game. But a character that relies on using illusion to deal with bandits or wolves in stead of slaying them. What's to say your companion can't do the killing while your in the back ground causing havoc with all types of spells?

The closest thing in the lore would be a healer and most healers also know destruction and illusion magic... In oblivion they were set-up as Alchemy, Alteration, Destruction, Illusion, Mercantile, Restoration, Speechcraft. To play a pure healer would be pretty hard, you need to get a good companion and a dog, probably meeko, to do all the fighting for you which doesn't seem like a brilliant strategy in my opinion...

I tried a healer, gave myself healing hands at the start and just healed the others through the escape section, that was fine.
Then grabbed a companion and healed her through the fights.
You can rely largely on illusion and a companion if you want, buy ultimately I found having less direct offense just wasn't that much fun and I pretty much end up having to tank or die.