Realism vs. Nominalism

Realism and nominalism are two philosophical perspectives on concepts and universals. Realism posits that abstract concepts (like justice or beauty) exist independently of the objects that embody them, suggesting there are universal truths beyond individual examples. In contrast, nominalism argues that these concepts are merely names or labels we use to group things, with no independent existence. Essentially, realists believe in a reality of ideas, while nominalists view them as human-made classifications based on our experiences. This debate impacts various fields, including philosophy, science, and language.