Definition

1. Noun:
   • A philosopher who adheres to nominalism: A "nominalist" is a thinker who holds the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts, general terms, or universals (like "beauty," "justice," or "humanity") do not exist as real, independent entities. Instead, they are merely names (Latin: nomina) or labels we use to group together individual, particular things that share certain observable characteristics.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • William of Ockham is considered a famous medieval nominalist.
  • The debate between the realist and the nominalist centered on the true nature of universals.
  • As a nominalist, she argued that only specific, concrete objects have real existence.

Advanced Usage

• In philosophical discourse: The term is used to categorize a thinker's position within metaphysics and the philosophy of language, specifically in debates about universals and the nature of reality.
  • The conference featured a panel discussion between a nominalist and a Platonic realist.

Variants and Related Words

• Nominalism (n): The philosophical doctrine itself, which denies the objective reality of universal concepts.
  • Nominalism stands in contrast to realism in medieval philosophy.
• Nominalistic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of nominalism.
  • His argument had a distinctly nominalistic flavor.

Synonyms

• Anti-realist (regarding universals): A broader term for positions that deny the mind-independent existence of certain types of entities, including universals.
• Conceptualist: In some contexts, this is a related but distinct position that universals exist only as concepts in the mind.

Related Phrases

• Nominalist stance/position/view: A phrase used to describe adherence to this philosophy.
  • He defended a strict nominalist position throughout his career.

Noun

1. a philosopher who has adopted the doctrine of nominalism