Realism

Discipline: Philosophy

Often associated with the work of Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid (1710-1796), and German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804).

Usually used in either of two ways:

(1) the view that abstract concepts have a real existence and can be studied empirically;
(2) the doctrine that the physical world has a reality separate from that of the mind.

Over the reality of universals (see Platonism) and other abstract objects, realism contrasts mainly with nominalism and conceptualism (see also: resemblance theories of universals).

In dealing with the reality and status of things around us, it contrasts with idealism and phenomenalism. It contrasts with anti-realism on the possibility of truths independent of our powers of verifying them or manifesting knowledge of them.

All this suggests that realism (like 'real') is mainly defined by contrast. As with many philosophical terms, 'realist' can apply to some features of a view to other features of which some contrasting term applies.

Compare with: causal realism, critical realism, modal realism, naive realism, perspective realism

Source:
D N Robinson, An Intellectual History of Psychology (London, 1976)

Discipline: Political Science

View of international relations as the pursuit of interests.

States pursue their own security and prosperity in international relations, whatever their apparent aims, alliances or moral claims.

Source:
Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newnham, The Dictionary of World Politics (Hemel Hempstead, 1990)

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