Aquinas and Realism: An Overview

Aquinas has been celebrated for his philosophical realism, contrasting modern anti-realism, with a focus on Aquinas as a defender of common sense. The notion of Aquinas as a realist philosopher of common sense gained traction relatively recently, highlighting his elevation as a champion of realism. This perspective emphasizes the distinction between individual things and general natures, highlighting Aquinas's nuanced position on the existence of general natures as mind-dependent.