Human Essence and Universal Natures

In this episode, we continue exploring the differences between Realism and Nominalism by discussing good reasons to hold a Realist perspective.

In this podcast, we discuss:

• What good reasons do we have to believe in abstract objects that we cannot see?
• How is it that we are intuitively aware of things we cannot see?
• Why do we naturally group things together? Is this “seeing” the universal they all share?
• What are relations? Are they real? Can we see them?
• What were some of the ideas that early modern empiricists got right?
• What kinds of theological problems do we bump into when we reject realism?

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• Stan Wallace, “Three Reasons to Believe in Things You Can’t See,” (four-part series)
• The first episode in this series: #45 – What Makes Things What They Are? The Realist/Nominalist Debate

Recommended resources:

• J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, chapter on Properties
• Garrett J. DeWeese and J. P. Moreland, Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions, chapter on Properties
• Scott Smith, The The Dangers of Nominalism, on The Kirkwood Center Podcast