Antirealism

/ˌæntiːˈriːəlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A philosophical position rejecting the idea that something (like abstract objects, moral facts, or external reality) exists independently of human perception or belief.

Etymology

From anti- + realism (belief that reality exists objectively). Developed as a philosophical countermovement in the 20th century, particularly in philosophy of mathematics and ethics.

Kelly Says

Antirealism in mathematics suggests numbers might not 'exist' in nature the way rocks do—they're human inventions—which seems weird but explains why math is so useful for describing reality we didn't invent.

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