Chapter 14
Realism
1. Answer:
(a) According to realism objects about knowledge have/ do not exist independently.
Answer: Yes.
(b) According to realism, knowledge determines the existence of the subject of knowledge.
Answer: No, it is not.
2. Give a brief answer:
(a) What is realism?
Answer: Realism is the doctrine of the nature of the object of knowledge according to which the object of knowledge has an independent mind-neutral existence.
(b) What are the other types of realism?
Answer: There are 4 types of realism. They are:
(1) Simple realism.
(2) Scientific realism.
(3) Neo- realism.
(4) Neo-ideal-realism.
(c) Name three realist philosophers?
Answer: Three realist philosophers are John Locke, Holt, and Perry.
3. Discuss realism as a doctrine concerning the nature of the content of knowledge.
Answer: Realism is the doctrine of the nature of the object of knowledge according to which the object of knowledge has an independent mind-neutral existence.
The question often asked about the nature of the content of knowledge is whether the content of knowledge exists independently or whether the content of knowledge depends on the mind of the knower. In this context, proponents of realism assert that the content of knowledge exists independently. In other words, the existence of the subject of knowledge does not depend on any mind. Therefore, it can be seen that the existence of the object of knowledge is not determined by the mind.
4. What are the characteristics of realism? discuss.
Answer: The characteristics of realism are -
(1) According to realism, the content of knowledge has an independent existence. In other words, the existence of the content of knowledge does not depend on anything. Objects with their own qualities exist in the external world. It should not depend on anyone for its existence. In other words, the independent existence of the subject of knowledge is other-neutral.
(2) The existence of the content of knowledge does not depend on the mind in any way. The mind plays an important role in the acquisition of knowledge. But that does not mean that the mind determines the independent existence of the objects of knowledge. Objects can exist independently without any relationship to the mind.
(3) According to realists, there is no ontological relationship between knowledge and the content of knowledge. The relation between knowledge and the content of knowledge is entirely external. Since the object of knowledge has an independent mindless existence, there is no ontological relationship between knowledge and the object of knowledge.
(4) According to realism, knowledge does not determine the existence of the object of knowledge. In other words, the existence of the content of knowledge does not depend on whether one knows it or not. For example, no one has seen the University of Guwahati. Just because that person has not seen the University of Guwahati does not mean that there is no University of Guwahati. Whether anyone sees it or not, knows it or not, the University of Guwahati exists and will remain a university. The existence of the University of Guwahati as a subject of knowledge does not depend on any knowledge. In otherwords, knowledge does not determine the existence of the subject of knowledge.
(5) Realists believe that there is an independent world outside the mind. In other words, this world full of various things is not dependent on the mind in any way. Every object in this material world exists independently outside the mind. Whether the mind is related to the object or not, it does not affect the existence of the object in any way. So there is an independent material world outside the mind.
