Unreals

Unreals is a plural term used across philosophy, literary theory, mathematics, and popular culture to refer to entities, states, or ideas that do not exist in actual reality. Because it lacks a fixed referent, the meaning of unreals depends on context and the surrounding discussion.

In philosophical and logical discussions, unreals are often invoked to denote non-actual objects or possibilities considered by a theory or thought experiment. They may include fictional persons, impossible constructs, or hypothetical worlds, typically contrasted with actual things that exist in reality.

In mathematics and theoretical science, unreals can describe hypothetical models, non-realizable constructs, or idealizations that serve analytical purposes without claiming their existence in the real world. The term emphasizes that the object under consideration is not part of the actual domain but can help illuminate properties or relationships.

In arts and culture, unreals appear as a concept used by writers, artists, and creators to frame works about alternate realities, fantasies, or speculative futures. It may also be used as a title or thematic label for albums, films, or projects, though such use varies by creator and is not standardized.

Because the term is informal and context-dependent, readers should rely on the surrounding text to understand what unreals means in a given instance. It is not synonymous with real or fictitious in a single sense, but rather a flexible category for non-actual or imagined phenomena.

See also: unreal, possible world, fictional entity, counterfactual.