Realism (philosophy)
Introduction
Realism in philosophy is the belief that reality exists independently of observers. This view contrasts with idealism, which posits that reality is fundamentally mental or immaterial. Realists argue that objects, properties, and other entities exist independently of human thoughts and perceptions. The term "realism" has been used in various ways throughout the history of philosophy, leading to a range of different positions and debates.
Historical Overview
Realism has a long history in philosophy, dating back to ancient times. The earliest forms of realism were proposed by ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. Plato's realism was based on his Theory of Forms, which argued that non-physical forms (or ideas) represent the most accurate reality. Aristotle, on the other hand, proposed a form of realism that emphasized the physical world.
In the Middle Ages, realism was a central issue in the debate over universals. Realists such as Thomas Aquinas and Duns Scotus argued that universals exist independently of individual things, while nominalists denied this.
In the modern period, realism was defended by philosophers such as René Descartes and John Locke, who argued for the existence of an external world independent of our perceptions. In the 20th century, realism became a central issue in the philosophy of science, with philosophers such as Karl Popper and Hilary Putnam defending various forms of scientific realism.
Types of Realism
There are several types of realism in philosophy, each with its own specific claims about the nature of reality.
Metaphysical Realism
Metaphysical realism is the view that the world exists independently of our perception or understanding of it. This form of realism asserts that there is a fixed, objective reality that we can come to know.
Scientific Realism
Scientific realism is the view that the world described by science (particularly by successful scientific theories) is the real world, as it is, independent of what we might take it to be. According to scientific realists, when scientific theories make reference to entities like electrons or genes, these entities actually exist.
Moral Realism
Moral realism is the view that moral facts exist and are objective facts, independent of our beliefs or feelings. According to moral realists, statements like "murder is wrong" are objectively true or false, regardless of our opinions or cultural beliefs.
Mathematical Realism
Mathematical realism, also known as Platonism in the philosophy of mathematics, is the view that mathematical entities exist independently of us and our mathematical practices. Mathematical realists believe that mathematical objects like numbers and sets exist, and that mathematical truths are objective and discovered, not invented.
Critiques and Counterarguments
Realism in philosophy has faced numerous critiques and counterarguments. Some philosophers, such as Immanuel Kant, have argued that our perceptions and understanding shape the nature of reality, a view known as transcendental idealism. Others, such as Bertrand Russell, have argued for a form of neutral monism, which holds that the world consists of neutral entities that are neither purely physical nor purely mental.
In the 20th century, anti-realist movements such as logical positivism and postmodernism challenged the assumptions of realism. Logical positivists argued that statements about unobservable entities are meaningless, while postmodernists questioned the idea of a fixed, objective reality.
Conclusion
Realism is a central and enduring theme in philosophy, with a rich history and a wide range of positions. Despite numerous challenges, realism continues to be a dominant approach in many areas of philosophy and is a key part of ongoing debates about the nature of reality.