Single Idea 7045

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 2. Realism]

Full Idea

Realism is sometimes said to involve a commitment to the idea that certain of our concepts, those with respect to which we are realists, 'carve reality at the joints'.

Gist of Idea

Realism says some of our concepts 'cut nature at the joints'

Source

John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], 14.11)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.166


A Reaction

Clearly not all concepts cut nature at the joints (e.g. we have concepts of things we know to be imaginary). Personally I am committed to this view of realism. I try very hard to use concepts that cut accurately; why shouldn't I sometimes succeed?