Realism in Philosophy

Realism in philosophy is the belief that reality exists independently of our perception or understanding. It is a stance that underlies various philosophical discussions, ranging from metaphysics to epistemology. Realism posits that the world is composed of objects, properties, and events that are largely independent of our knowledge, thoughts, or beliefs about them.

Historical Context

The roots of philosophical realism can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. Plato’s Theory of Forms is often seen as a kind of realism because it posits the existence of abstract entities. However, it is more aligned with idealism due to its emphasis on abstract realities.

Aristotle, on the other hand, is traditionally seen as a precursor to realism with his belief in the existence of universals that are instantiated in particular things. Aristotle’s realism was further developed in the Middle Ages by Thomas Aquinas and other Scholastic philosophers, who argued for objective reality that could be known through reason and observation.

Types of Realism

Philosophical Realism

Philosophical realism is the stance that certain types of things exist independently of human thoughts or perceptions about them. This includes a wide range of subjects such as ethical values, mathematical entities, and universals. It is contrasted with anti-realism, which denies the independent existence of these entities.

Scientific Realism

Scientific realism is the view that the theories of science aim to accurately describe the world, including both observable phenomena and unobservable entities. Scientific realism asserts that the success of scientific theories is best explained by their truth or near truth, regarding both observable and unobservable aspects of the universe.

Moral Realism

Moral realism is the belief that there are objective moral facts, and that human beings can discover these facts through reason and discourse. It contrasts with moral anti-realism, which holds that moral values are not objective or independent of human beliefs.

Critical Realism

Critical realism is a philosophical approach to understanding science and the world that combines a general philosophy of science with a philosophy of social science. Initially developed by Roy Bhaskar, critical realism asserts that reality has both subjective and objective aspects, and it seeks to reconcile the two.

Influences and Developments

Realism has significantly influenced a variety of philosophical fields and has been subjected to numerous debates and adaptations over time. Naïve realism, for example, is the view that the world is exactly as it appears to sensory perception, while perspectival realism acknowledges the limitations of human perception and cognition.

In the 20th century, new realism emerged, particularly within the context of American philosophy, as a response to both idealism and earlier forms of realism. This movement sought to establish a more coherent understanding of reality that was grounded in common sense and empirical evidence.