Realism is the view that reality exists independently of our thoughts, beliefs, or perceptions. In simple terms:
The world is what it is, whether we believe in it or not.
But “realism” has different meanings depending on the field.
- Philosophical Realism
In philosophy, realism argues that objects, facts, or truths exist independently of the mind.
Example:
A mountain exists even if no human sees it.
This contrasts with idealism, associated with thinkers like George Berkeley, who argued that reality depends on perception (“to be is to be perceived”).
A classic realist thinker is Aristotle, who believed the physical world exists independently of human thought.
- Scientific Realism
Scientific realism says that scientific theories describe real things, even unobservable ones.
Example:
Electrons are real.
Black holes are real. Even though we cannot directly see them.
Scientific realism contrasts with instrumentalism (the view that theories are just useful tools, not necessarily true descriptions of reality).
- Moral Realism
Moral realism claims that moral facts exist objectively.
Example:
“Murder is wrong” is not just opinion, it’s objectively true.
This opposes moral relativism or subjectivism.
5. Realism in Art & Literature
Realism in art tries to depict life as it truly is, without romanticizing or idealizing it.
Writers like Leo Tolstoy and Gustave Flaubert focused on everyday life, ordinary people, and psychological depth.
Core Idea of Realism
Across all fields, realism shares one central principle:
There is an objective structure to reality that exists independently of our wishes, emotions, or beliefs.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 