Anti-realism is a philosophical current that questions the existence of an objective reality independent of the human mind. This philosophical perspective argues that reality is constructed and interpreted by individuals, being influenced by factors such as language, culture and personal experiences. In this glossary, we will explore in detail what anti-realism is in philosophy, its main aspects and how it differs from realism.
What is antirealism?
Anti-realism is a philosophical position that denies the existence of an objective reality independent of the human mind. According to this perspective, reality is constructed and interpreted by individuals, being influenced by factors such as language, culture and personal experiences. In this way, anti-realism questions the idea that there is an absolute and universal truth, arguing that each person has their own interpretation of reality.
Main aspects of anti-realism
Anti-realism encompasses several philosophical strands, each with its own nuances and approaches. Some of the main aspects of anti-realism are:
1. Linguistic anti-realism
Linguistic anti-realism argues that language is fundamental to the construction of reality. According to this perspective, reality does not exist independently of language, being shaped and limited by linguistic structures. Thus, language determines what can be said and thought, directly influencing the way we perceive the world.
2. Cultural anti-realism
Cultural anti-realism argues that culture plays a fundamental role in the construction of reality. According to this aspect, reality is shaped by the values, beliefs and cultural practices of a given society. In this way, different cultures can have different views of reality, which questions the existence of a universal truth.
3. Constructivist anti-realism
Constructivist anti-realism argues that reality is constructed by individuals based on their experiences and social interactions. According to this perspective, there is no objective reality independent of the human mind, reality being a social and subjective construction. Thus, each person has their own interpretation of reality, influenced by their experiences and the social context in which they are inserted.
4. Phenomenological anti-realism
Phenomenological anti-realism is based on the phenomenological philosophy of Edmund Husserl, which seeks to understand the subject's conscious experience. According to this perspective, reality is constructed from individual experiences and perceptions, being influenced by the subjectivity of the subject. Thus, reality is understood as a subjective construction and not as something objective and independent of the human mind.
Difference Between Antirealism and Realism
Anti-realism and realism are two opposing philosophical currents that approach the question of the existence of reality in different ways. While anti-realism questions the existence of an objective reality independent of the human mind, realism argues that there is an external reality independent of individual perceptions.
In realism, reality is considered as something objective and independent of the human mind, existing independently of being perceived or interpreted by someone. This philosophical perspective argues that reality has intrinsic characteristics and properties, which can be known and understood through observation and scientific investigation.
On the other hand, anti-realism questions the idea that there is an objective reality independent of the human mind. According to this perspective, reality is constructed and interpreted by individuals, being influenced by factors such as language, culture and personal experiences. In this way, anti-realism argues that each person has their own interpretation of reality, and that there is no absolute and universal truth.
In short, anti-realism and realism represent two opposing views on the existence of reality. While realism defends the existence of an objective reality independent of the human mind, anti-realism questions this idea, arguing that reality is constructed and interpreted by individuals.
