See Also: realism(dictionary)
realism(encyclopedia)
realism(dictionary)
New Realism(encyclopedia)
Social Realism(encyclopedia)
Socialist Realism(encyclopedia)
Photo-Realism(encyclopedia)
realism (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
Magic Realism(dictionary)
magic realism(encyclopedia)

realism (iou)



realism noun. E19.
[from REAL adjective2 + -ISM.]
Philosophy.
a. The doctrine that universals have an objective or absolute existence. Opp. NOMINALISM. E19.
b. The doctrine that matter as the object of perception has real existence and is neither reducible to universal mind or spirit nor dependent on a perceiving agent (opp. IDEALISM 1). Also, the doctrine that the world has a reality that transcends the mind's analytical capacity, and that propositions are to be assessed in terms of their truth to reality rather than their verifiability. M19.
Inclination or attachment to what is real; a tendency to regard things as they really are and deal with them accordingly. E19.
b. The doctrine that the law is better understood by analysis of judges rather than the judgements given. M20.
c. The view that the subject-matter of politics is political power, not matters of principle. M20.
Close resemblance to what is real; fidelity of representation, esp. in art and literature. M19.
M. Frayn A..novel, whose strength lies in the..realism of its plot.
Phrases: magic realism: see MAGIC adjective. NAIVE realism. new realism: see NEW adjective. SELECTIVE realism. social realism: see SOCIAL adjective. socialist realism: see SOCIALIST adjective.