Metaphysics: Nominalism Vs. Realism

It is easy to see that a realist and nominalist mainly differ when discussing the idea of “properties.” Although the two both acknowledge the existence of objects, they do not see eye to eye on concepts or properties.

“Socrates was ignorant but he aspired to wisdom, which he felt was a virtue and closer to goodness than ignorance. It was clear that he shared some of these qualities with his mother.” Although this quote seems straightforward, when analyzed by an extreme nominalist or a realist the quote can be reformulated just as easily as it can be accepted.

Since extreme nominalists do not believe in properties, it would only be natural and faithful to their practice for them to reformulate this quote. In this quote, “wisdom,” and “ignorance,” take the shape of “properties,” which in the practice of extreme nominalism do not exist. In response to the first sentence of this quote an extreme nominalist might say:

“It is impossible for Socrates to work away from ignorance and aspire towards wisdom. There are no such things as wisdom and ignorance, they are simply names of properties. Since wisdom and ignorance do not actually exist, how can someone aspire towards, and move away from them? Socrates could be described as wise, or ignorant, But it is impossible to work towards or away from these “words.””

If the first sentence of the quote was switched around to an extreme nominalists liking, it could potentially look like this:

“Socrates was ignorant, but he wanted to be wise; which he felt was better than being ignorant.”

An extreme nominalist would also get rid of the words “virtue,” and “goodness.” Since they are also properties. An extreme nominalist would also reformulate the second sentence.; because since there are no properties, words that describe can’t be shared. When two people are “wise,” they do not share the concept of having “wisdom,” they are both coincidentally simply described as “wise.” An extreme nominalist might change the second sentence to say:

“It is clear that Socrates and his mother were both wise and persistent.”

Unlike an extreme nominalist, a realist would accept this quote. Since realists believe in properties, and that they not only describe but also exist, it is possible for someone to work towards a property. To prove the first sentence of this quote a realist might say:

“Wisdom and ignorance are instantiated by people. Therefore a person can try and be represented by the property of wisdom, and work away from the concept of ignorance.”

Along with the first sentence, a realist would also leave the second sentence as is. A realist might justify this by saying:

“Since “wisdom” and “ignorance” are properties that are instantiated by people, it is possible for two people to share the properties of having “wisdom” or of having “ignorance.””

Although neither of these theories have been proven, extreme nominalism is the concept which makes more sense. Even though there could potentially be properties, there is no proof of them. When has the color “blue” ever been seen on its own? When has “wisdom” ever independently presented itself? Whenever these “words,” are used, they are not independent things being represented by a pair of shoes or by a person; they are simply describing the objects. It is impossible to prove realism because properties will forever be dependent on real objects to be recognized. Blue, along with other properties, can’t exist on their own; they are simply parts of real objects.

Although on the surface this quote seems simple and easy to accept, if one takes a definite side of a metaphysical argument, this seemingly straightforward quote becomes a bit harder to comprehend, and even more controversial. It is easy to see how the two schools of thought would differ in their opinion when analyzing this quote, but it is also easy to see how they could let go of their attachment to their beliefs and simply accept the quote as it is. There is no right or wrong system of beliefs when it comes to realism versus extreme nominalism; there is only personal preference. However, extreme nominalism is the concept which makes more sense, because it is impossible to prove that there are independent properties. When analyzing the basic meaning of any quote, it is easy to say whether it is true or false, but when analyzing a realists view versus a nominalists, it is impossible to say which is true or not.