Nominalism vs. Realism: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Nominalism argues that universals or abstract concepts are mere names without real existence, while Realism posits that such universals or concepts exist independently of our thoughts.
Key Differences
Nominalism asserts that abstract concepts, like 'beauty' or 'justice,' are merely names without corresponding realities in the external world. Realism, in contrast, holds that these abstract concepts have an independent existence, whether or not humans recognize them.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
In Nominalism, general terms are considered products of mental categorization and don't exist outside human perception. Realism, however, posits that these categories have an objective existence, beyond subjective human understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Nominalism views universals as linguistic constructs without intrinsic meaning, suggesting that reality consists only of particulars. Realism sees universals as fundamental components of reality, essential for understanding the nature of things.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Nominalism can lead to skepticism about the existence of anything beyond the empirical. Realism, however, often underpins scientific and philosophical inquiries into the nature of existence and reality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
In Nominalism, the focus is on concrete, specific entities, denying any inherent meaning to groupings or classes. Realism emphasizes the existence of properties, forms, or essences that define and unite categories or classes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Universals
Denies independent existence of universals.
Affirms independent existence of universals.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Abstract Concepts
Views as mere linguistic constructs.
Believes they have objective reality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Philosophical Basis
Skeptical of inherent meanings or essences.
Posits inherent meanings or essences in nature.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Implication
Reality is understood through individual entities.
Reality includes both particulars and universals.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Nominalism and Realism Definitions
Nominalism
The doctrine that universals or general ideas are mere names without any corresponding reality.
Nominalism questions the existence of 'beauty' as an independent entity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Realism
The belief that abstract entities, such as numbers or properties, have a real existence.
Realism posits that mathematical truths exist independently of human minds.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Nominalism
The view that properties, kinds, and classes are not real but merely useful linguistic constructs.
From a nominalist perspective, categories like 'color' are convenient labels, not real entities.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Realism
The doctrine that universals have a real, independent existence in the nature of things.
Realism argues that species exist objectively, not just as human classifications.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Nominalism
The belief that only particular things exist, not abstract entities.
In nominalism, each artwork is unique, without embodying a universal 'artistic quality'.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Realism
The philosophical belief in the independent existence of universals or abstract qualities.
Realism supports the notion that concepts like 'justice' exist beyond human perception.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Nominalism
A stance that specifics are the only reality and generalities are human-made concepts.
Nominalism implies that moral principles are human inventions, not objective truths.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Realism
A view that the world consists of both particulars and universals, which are real.
In realism, the physical world and its laws have an existence independent of human beliefs.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Nominalism
A philosophical theory that denies the existence of universal essences.
Nominalism challenges the idea of 'human nature' as a concrete, universal concept.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Nominalism
The doctrine holding that abstract concepts, general terms, or universals have no independent existence but exist only as names.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
The representation in art or literature of objects, actions, or social conditions as they actually are, without idealization or presentation in abstract form.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Nominalism
(philosophy) A doctrine that universals do not have an existence except as names for classes of concrete objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
The scholastic doctrine, opposed to nominalism, that universals exist independently of their being thought.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
The modern philosophical doctrine, opposed to idealism, that objects exist independently of their being perceived.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Nominalism
(philosophy) the doctrine that the various objects labeled by the same term have nothing in common but their name
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
A concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
(sciences) The viewpoint that an external reality exists independent of observation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
(philosophy) A doctrine that universals are real—they exist and are distinct from the particulars that instantiate them.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
As opposed to nominalism, the doctrine that genera and species are real things or entities, existing independently of our conceptions. According to realism the Universal exists ante rem (Plato), or in re (Aristotle).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
Fidelity to nature or to real life; representation without idealization, and making no appeal to the imagination; adherence to the actual fact.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
The practise of assessing facts and the probabilities of the consequences of actions in an objective manner; avoidance of unrealistic or impractical beliefs or efforts. Contrasted to idealism, self-deception, overoptimism, overimaginativeness, or visionariness.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
The attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical object continue to exist when not perceived
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
The state of being actual or real;
The reality of his situation slowly dawned on him
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
An artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Realism
A philosophical stance asserting the objective existence of concepts and universals.
Realism suggests that ethical truths are real and discoverable, not just societal constructs.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What underlies the nominalist perspective?
The belief that only specific, tangible objects are real, and general concepts are human-made.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
How does realism view abstract concepts?
Realism holds that abstract concepts have an existence independent of human thought.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can nominalism be applied to ethics?
Yes, it suggests that moral values are not inherent but socially constructed.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
How does realism explain universals?
Realism explains universals as fundamental aspects of reality that unite different entities.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
How do nominalists view classifications like 'species'?
Nominalists see them as convenient labels, not reflecting any deeper reality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does nominalism reject the existence of qualities?
It doesn't reject their existence, but views qualities as not having independent existence.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does realism affirm the existence of mathematical entities?
Yes, realism posits that mathematical entities exist objectively.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can nominalism apply to art?
Yes, it views each work of art as unique, without representing a universal aesthetic quality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can realism support the concept of human nature?
Yes, realism can argue for the existence of a universal human nature.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is realism compatible with scientific inquiry?
Yes, realism often underpins scientific exploration of the natural world.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
How does nominalism affect our understanding of language?
It suggests that language constructs reality rather than reflects it.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
How does realism view ethical principles?
Realism often sees ethical principles as having an objective existence.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Do nominalists accept the existence of emotions?
Yes, but they see emotions as individual experiences, not universal concepts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Do nominalists believe in abstract truths?
Nominalists are skeptical about abstract truths existing independently of human perception.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is nominalism compatible with empirical science?
Yes, as it focuses on observable, specific phenomena.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
How does nominalism interpret the concept of 'beauty'?
As a subjective label, not an objective reality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can realism explain the existence of general laws?
Yes, it posits that laws, like those of physics, have an objective existence.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is realism limited to physical objects?
No, it extends to abstract entities like numbers, properties, and ethical truths.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does realism imply the existence of an ideal world?
Not necessarily, but it does assert that concepts have a reality beyond human ideas.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is realism a common approach in philosophy?
Yes, it's a prevalent view in many philosophical traditions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
Hifza Nasir
