Nominalists
Nominalists are individuals or philosophers who subscribe to the theory of nominalism, asserting that universals or abstract concepts do not exist independently of the objects or phenomena they describe. Instead, they contend that such concepts are merely names or labels (nomina) applied to particular instances. Nominalism stands in opposition to realism, which posits that universals have some form of existence beyond mere linguistic designation. nominalists often advocate for a pragmatic approach to language and categorization.
Nominalists meaning with examples
- In a philosophical debate, the nominalists argued fervently that categories such as 'justice' or 'beauty' are merely linguistic conveniences, devoid of any objective existence outside individual perceptions.
- While discussing the implications of nominalism in metaphysics, the students realized that nominalists reject the notion that abstract entities hold any reality apart from actual instances in the physical world.
- The nominalists in the classroom emphasized the importance of context and usage in language, asserting that meaning arises not from intrinsic properties but from social agreements and conventions.
- During the conference, the prominent philosopher noted that key tenets of nominalism challenge established doctrines, which often presume a fixed reality determined by universal truths.
- In literature, the nominalists have been influential in shaping post-modern narratives, as they embrace ambiguity and the subjective nature of meaning through the deconstruction of abstract terms.
