Nominalism and Realism

Nominalism and realism - that is what is opposed to each other.The difference between them is large.An understanding of both of them allows you to take a look at the usual things a little differently.The debate about which theory is correct, is the centuries.It was attended by many leading philosophers.Everyone expressed their opinion, based on the works of earlier thinkers.

Realism and nominalism are opposing directions of medieval scholastic philosophy.Supporters nominalism tried to prove that there are only individual things, and supporters of realism were convinced that everything exists in the divine mind.Recent nominalists argued that the general concepts are the result of abstraction, which is associated with thinking, the extreme realists argue that the general concepts are universals that exist independently of us - they were before the advent of things.

Nominalism and realism in medieval philosophy very different from each other in a state of contradiction.The discussions that arose between the parties, leading to the emergence and development of a specific logic that greatly influenced the development of scholasticism.Also nominalism and realism, but rather disputes connected with them, have led to the development of scientific rigor, influenced the theory of sets.The controversy of nominalism and realism lasted several centuries.

realism of the Middle Ages is a doctrine which claims that universal reality have only (ie, general concepts).Moreover, these things are temporary, isolated, and constantly changing.The concepts are at the root of things - they were born out of the divine mind.

In nominalism same emphasis on what will prevail over reason.In the divine mind there are no concepts.The will of God was aimed at the creation of things is, as are the creation of the concept of the knowing souls.

Thomas Aquinas tried to overcome both extremes.In response nominalists he said that the concept, which appeared at the will of the divine mind, are the prototypes of the concepts that we have now.A realist, he argued that the concepts, which are formed in the human mind, are secondary to the basic essence of things.

Thomas Aquinas argued that knowledge is based on the fact that a man of action once the two sides - intelligible and sensible.It's about what kind of objects are dual existence: inside the mind of a person, as well as outside of it.Sensual species give people the opportunity to understand the individual in things.Philosophical knowledge of things elevates man, brings him closer to God.

Nominalism and realism later came to be viewed somewhat differently.With the knowledge of things thinkers have tried to answer the questions related to the existence of things, it causes the basics, as well as meaning.Many believed that it is through things can grasp reality.

Realism as the direction of scholasticism is the doctrine, which asserts that the true reality is only associated with universals and individual objects do not have anything to do with it.Place the existence of such objects - the empirical world.About real existence can only speak in relation to things is persistent, which are eternal.Universals - thoughts that have occurred from the divine mind.

In nominalism existence of general concepts are not allowed.Universals - this is what came later things.The general concepts are the only names that may have no independent existence.

Nominalism and realism - a dispute on how to interact and sdelochnoe general.Of course, a lot of realism, idealism, and nominalism - materialism.