Realism (Noun)
Meaning 1
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical objects continue to exist when not perceived.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The philosophical doctrine of realism asserts that a tree in a forest continues to exist even if no one is present to see it.
- Realism in philosophy maintains that physical objects have an existence independent of human perception or observation.
- According to realism, objects and their properties are not a product of human perception but actually exist in the external world.
- Realism challenges the idea that reality is solely a product of human understanding and instead affirms the existence of an objective reality.
- The theory of realism is rooted in the idea that physical objects have an inherent existence that is unaffected by human perception or awareness.
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Meaning 2
An artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The rise of realism in 19th-century France brought about a significant shift in the way artists approached their subject matter.
- Realism led to the creation of works that were more grounded in everyday life, moving away from the idealized and romanticized depictions of the past.
- Artists associated with the realism movement, such as Jean-François Millet and Gustave Courbet, were known for their ability to capture the mundane aspects of life in their works.
- Writers like Gustave Flaubert and the Goncourt brothers were also influenced by realism, incorporating detailed and factual descriptions into their stories.
- The raw, unvarnished quality of realism raised eyebrows in some quarters, with some critics accusing artists and writers of being overly concerned with the mundane and the ugly.
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Meaning 3
The state of being actual or real; "the reality of his situation slowly dawned on him".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- Her experiences in the poverty-stricken neighborhood gave her a sense of realism about the world that was hard to learn in a classroom.
- As the effects of the economic downturn worsened, a growing sense of realism began to set in among the investors.
- The photograph of the ravaged landscape brought home the harsh realism of the destruction caused by the storm.
- His desire for a successful musical career eventually gave way to realism, and he started focusing on a more stable job.
- The novel explored the harsh realism of life on the streets for those struggling with homelessness.
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Meaning 4
The attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- Her approach to the challenges she faced was guided by a healthy dose of realism that allowed her to navigate them effectively.
- The harsh realities of her financial situation forced her to adopt a more realistic mindset when making spending decisions.
- He was a pragmatist at heart, always considering the pros and cons of a situation with an unwavering commitment to realism.
- After years of struggling to make ends meet, she finally came to accept the realism of her situation and made necessary adjustments to her lifestyle.
- By embracing realism, they were able to scale back their ambitious plans and focus on a more attainable goal.
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Meaning 5
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The philosopher's views on direct realism led her to argue that truth exists independently of our perception of it.
- Realism posits that abstract concepts like beauty or justice have a life of their own, separate from the way we define them.
- A proponent of realism would contend that it is futile to redefine fundamental moral concepts merely to suit our contemporary tastes.
- Theorists of moral realism argue that good and bad are inherent properties of certain actions regardless of the variations in human perspectives on them.
- Critics of realism often assert that without the context of language, the supposed independent existence of abstract concepts crumbles into nothingness.