Philosophical realism

Sanzio 01 Plato Aristotle

Philosophical realism is the viewpoint in philosophy that the existence of reality is independent of our conceptual schemes, perceptions, linguistic practices, beliefs, etc. Philosophical realists hold that phenomena or objects exist in reality outside of our mental constructs. This position contrasts with various forms of idealism and anti-realism, which contend that reality is, in some way, mentally constructed or otherwise inaccessible to knowledge as it is in itself.

Overview

Philosophical realism argues that certain entities exist in the world independently of our perception of them. This belief spans across various domains, including ethics (moral realism), science (scientific realism), and mathematics (mathematical realism), among others. Realists in these areas argue that entities such as moral values, scientific entities (like electrons), and mathematical objects (like numbers) have an existence that is not contingent upon human thought or societal conventions.

History

The roots of philosophical realism can be traced back to ancient Greece, with figures like Plato and Aristotle. Plato's realism, often termed as Platonic realism, posits the existence of abstract, non-material forms (or ideas) that represent the most accurate reality. Aristotle, on the other hand, introduced a more empirical form of realism, emphasizing the reality of physical objects and their properties.

During the Middle Ages, realism was further developed by scholastic philosophers, who debated the nature of universals. Realists in this period, such as Thomas Aquinas, argued for the objective existence of universals outside the human mind.

In the modern era, philosophical realism has been influenced by developments in science and logic, leading to various nuanced positions. Scientific realism, for example, posits that the entities described by science, though often unobservable, have real existence.

Types of Realism

Metaphysical Realism

Metaphysical realism asserts the existence of an objective reality that is completely independent of human thoughts, languages, and beliefs. This form of realism is often contrasted with phenomenalism and idealism, which deny or question the existence of a mind-independent world.

Scientific Realism

Scientific realism is the position that the universe described by science is real regardless of how it may be interpreted. According to scientific realists, the success of scientific theories lends support to the reality of entities involved in these theories, even if they are not directly observable.

Moral Realism

Moral realism is the belief in the objective existence of moral facts. Moral realists argue that ethical statements express propositions that refer to objective features of the world, which are true or false independently of human opinion.

Mathematical Realism

Mathematical realism, or Platonism in mathematics, holds that mathematical entities exist independently of human thought. This view suggests that mathematical objects have an abstract, non-physical existence that mathematicians discover rather than invent.

Criticisms

Philosophical realism has faced various criticisms, particularly from idealism, phenomenalism, and constructivism. Critics argue that realism overstates the independence of the world from our cognitive faculties. They question how, if at all, we can have knowledge of a world that exists independently of our perceptions and conceptual frameworks.

Conclusion

Philosophical realism remains a foundational perspective in many areas of philosophy and science. Its assertion of an objective reality serves as a critical counterpoint to more subjective or constructivist views, contributing to ongoing debates about the nature of truth, knowledge, and existence.

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