Realismi

Realismi is a term used in several languages to designate Realism, a movement and philosophical stance that emphasizes truthful, non-idealized representation of subjects. In art, literature, philosophy, and social sciences, Realismi denotes a commitment to depicting reality as it is, often with attention to ordinary people, everyday life, and social conditions.

In the arts, Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against Romanticism and grandiose mythologizing. Visual artists sought direct observation and depicted labor, rural life, and urban conditions with plainness and detail. Notable French Realists include Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet. In Russia, Realist painting and literature flourished with figures such as Ilya Repin and the major fiction writers Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Turgenev, who portrayed ethical dilemmas and social realities with psychological depth.

Literature and theater in various countries embraced Realismo by focusing on character, social critique, and the everyday. Italian Verismo, associated with writers like Giovanni Verga, and Iberian and Latin American Realismo traditions, share the emphasis on concrete, verifiable detail and often critique of established power structures. In drama, Realism aimed to present believable dialogue and situations, moving away from melodrama.

In philosophy and science, realism denotes the belief that reality exists independently of perception or theory. Scientific realism argues that theories describe the world as it is, while other strands, such as critical realism, acknowledge the role of social and epistemic conditions in knowledge production.

Realismi today refers to these enduring ideas across cultures, retaining the core aim of empirical fidelity and credible representation in various disciplines.