nominalism Definition
the philosophical belief that general or abstract terms and concepts exist only as names, without any corresponding reality.
Using nominalism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "nominalism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Nominalism is the opposite of realism.
Example
According to nominalism, there are no universal concepts, only particular things.
Example
Nominalism is often associated with the philosophy of language.
nominalism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for nominalism
- conceptualism
- naming theory
Phrases with nominalism
the belief that general terms and concepts correspond to some degree to reality, but not entirely
Example
Moderate nominalism holds that there is some connection between language and the world, but it is not a one-to-one correspondence.
the belief that general terms and concepts have no connection to reality whatsoever
Example
Extreme nominalism holds that language is completely arbitrary and has no basis in reality.
Ockham's nominalism
a form of nominalism associated with the philosopher William of Ockham, which holds that entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity
Example
Ockham's nominalism argues that the simplest explanation is usually the best one.
Origins of nominalism
from Latin 'nominalis', meaning 'pertaining to a name'
Summary: nominalism in Brief
Nominalism [ˈnɑːmɪnəlɪzəm] is a philosophical belief that general or abstract terms and concepts exist only as names, without any corresponding reality. It is the opposite of realism and often associated with the philosophy of language. Nominalism can be divided into moderate and extreme forms, and is sometimes referred to as Ockham's nominalism, which argues that entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.
