realisma

Realisma is a broad term used to describe approaches that aim to depict or describe reality as it is, rather than as it should be. It appears across disciplines such as philosophy, literature and the arts, social science, and international relations. A common thread is a emphasis on empirical observation, factual representation, or objective depiction.

In philosophy, realism refers to the view that some aspects of reality exist independently of human thought. Different forms include metaphysical realism (objects and their properties exist independently of perception), epistemological realism (the external world is knowable), scientific realism (our best theories describe a mind‑independent world), and moral realism (there are objective moral facts). Realism is often contrasted with idealism, anti-realism, and constructivism.

In literature and the arts, realism denotes a 19th‑century movement that sought to portray everyday life and social conditions with accuracy and without romantic embellishment. It emphasized ordinary characters, careful observation, and social critique. Notable writers include Balzac, Flaubert, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Zola; in painting, Gustave Courbet is a key figure; in cinema, Italian Neorealism (1940s–1950s) highlighted working‑class life using real locations and non‑professional actors.

In social science, realism stresses empirical study and description of how institutions and actors actually behave in the real world. In international relations, realism is a theory that regards states as rational actors seeking power and security within an anarchic international system. Realism interacts with other traditions such as naturalism, liberalism, and constructivism, depending on the field and context.