Moderate realism as a position in the debate on the metaphysics of universals holds that there is no realm in which universals exist, but rather universals are located in space and time wherever they are manifest. Now, recall that a universal, like greenness, is supposed to be a single thing. Plato and Aristotle (right), by Raphael (Stanza della Segnatura, Rome). ... Universals (used as a noun) are either properties, relations, or types, but not classes. ...

It is opposed to both full-blooded realism, such as the theory of Platonic forms, and nominalism. Nominalists consider it unusual that there could be a single object that exists in multiple places simultaneously. Realism is the modern philosophical doctrine, opposed to nominalism, that universals exist independently of their being thought. ... According to Platonic realism, universals exist in a realm (often so called) that is separate from space and time; one might say that universals have a sort of ghostly or heavenly mode of existence, but, at least in more modern versions of Platonism, such a description is probably more misleading... In philosophy, nominalism is the theory that abstract terms, general terms, or universals do not represent objective real existents, but are merely names, words, or vocal utterances (flatus vocis). ... WordNet gives four main senses for the English noun object: a physical entity; something that is within the grasp of the senses; an aim, target or objective — see Object (task); a grammatical Object — either a direct object or an indirect object the focus of cognitions or feelings. ...

Aristotle espoused a form of moderate realism. Aristotle (Greek: Aristotélēs) (384 BC – March 7, 322 BC) was a Greek philosopher, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. ...

See also

• Abstract object
• Nominalism
• Object (philosophy)
• Platonic form
• Universal (metaphysics)
• realism (philosophy)