res–verbum controversy

The res-verbum controversy was a philosophical debate during the Renaissance concerning the relationship between "things" (res) and "words" (verbum). One side argued that language was the ultimate reality, while the other believed language was a medium to understand a reality beyond words.1

This debate has roots in ancient Greek philosophy, contrasting the Socratic school's view of language as a tool for truth with the Sophists' belief that truth and language were relative to human perception. Humanists like Lorenzo Valla and Poliziano emphasized the primacy of language, viewing its study as the study of humanity itself. Conversely, others, such as Pico della Mirandola, argued for the preeminence of "things" (reality) over words, suggesting philosophy was more important than rhetoric. Ultimately, the focus on language led to humanism becoming more of a literary pursuit, with philosophy developing separately. The term res itself means "a particular thing" or "matter".12