Definition

Adjective: * Relating to or characteristic of nominalism: Pertaining to the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts, general terms, or universals have no independent existence but are merely names (nomina) applied to groups of particular things or events.

Usage

The adjective "nominalistic" is used to describe arguments, positions, theories, or thinkers that align with the principles of nominalism. It is primarily an academic term used in philosophy, logic, and the history of ideas.

Examples

• The philosopher presented a nominalistic critique of Platonic realism, arguing that "justice" is merely a convenient label for certain types of actions.
• His approach to classifying species was decidedly nominalistic, viewing taxonomic categories as human constructs rather than reflections of a natural order.
• A nominalistic interpretation of mathematics challenges the existence of numbers as abstract objects.

Advanced Usage

• Nominalistic reduction: The attempt to analyze or translate statements about abstract entities into statements that refer only to concrete particulars.
  • The project aimed for a nominalistic reduction of set theory.

Variants and Related Words

• Nominalism (n): The philosophical doctrine itself.
• Nominalist (n): A proponent or adherent of nominalism.
  • As a nominalist, she rejected the independent existence of universals.

Synonyms

• Conceptualist (in some specific philosophical contexts, though distinctions exist)

Antonyms

• Realistic (in the philosophical sense of realism about universals)
• Platonic
• Essentialist

Adjective

1. of or relating to nominalism