conceptualism

philosophy

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June 24, 2026

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Conceptualism is a philosophical theory that falls between realism and nominalism. It posits that universals, or general concepts, exist in the mind as concepts or predicates that can be applied to reality. This view was influential among 17th- and 18th-century British empiricists like John Locke, George Berkeley, and Hume, who used conceptualism to explain how humans can think and talk in general terms. While not strictly in opposition to realism or nominalism, conceptualism often accompanies nominalist theories.12

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foundations of mathematics
Universals
…they exist independently of perception; conceptualism, which asserts that universals exist as entities within the mind but have no extra-mental existence; and nominalism, from the Latin nomen (“name”), which asserts that universals exist neither in the mind nor in the extra-mental realm but are merely names that refer to collections…
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…they exist independently of perception; conceptualism, which asserts that universals exist as entities within the mind but have no extra-mental existence; and nominalism, from the Latin nomen (“name”), which asserts that universals exist neither in the mind nor in the extra-mental realm but are merely names that refer to collections…
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universal
Medieval and early-modern nominalism
Ockham’s conceptualism won few converts among medieval philosophers. But conceptualism of one sort or another, combined with nominalism, was central to the philosophies of the 17th- and 18th-century British empiricists John Locke, George Berkeley, and Hume.
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Ockham’s conceptualism won few converts among medieval philosophers. But conceptualism of one sort or another, combined with nominalism, was central to the philosophies of the 17th- and 18th-century British empiricists John Locke, George Berkeley, and Hume.
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realism
Universals
…opposed by both nominalists and conceptualists. Nominalists, notably William of Ockham, insisted that everything in the nonlinguistic world is particular. They argued that universals are merely words which have a general application—an application which is sufficiently explained by reference to the similarities among the various particulars to which the words…
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…opposed by both nominalists and conceptualists. Nominalists, notably William of Ockham, insisted that everything in the nonlinguistic world is particular. They argued that universals are merely words which have a general application—an application which is sufficiently explained by reference to the similarities among the various particulars to which the words…
Read More