philosophical realism

Philosophical realism posits that things known or perceived exist independently of whether anyone is thinking about or perceiving them. This viewpoint is central to many debates in Western philosophy, particularly concerning the relationship between human cognition and the objects of knowledge. Realists generally affirm that our cognitive activities, including sense perception and scientific theorizing, provide knowledge of a world that exists and functions independently of our minds.12

This stance is often considered common sense, as most beliefs naturally pertain to mind-independent objects. However, philosophical arguments are necessary to sustain this position, especially when defining concepts like objectivity and mind-independence. Realism can be applied to various domains, such as the external world, scientific theories, mathematics, or morality, and does not necessarily have to be a global thesis.23