What distinguishes exaggerated realism from moderate realism?

Exaggerated realism is characterized by the belief that universals exist independently of particular instances or examples. This perspective asserts that general concepts (universals) are real and can exist outside of specific instances that exemplify them. For example, the idea of "goodness" as an abstract concept is seen as existing in a way that is separate from individual acts or examples of goodness.

In the context of this distinction, moderate realism holds a more nuanced position. It acknowledges the reality of universals but believes they do not exist apart from the particulars that embody them. So, while moderate realism shares some common ground with exaggerated realism regarding the existence of universals, it does not extend that existence to an independent reality.

This understanding helps clarify why the first answer choice is accurate. It encapsulates a fundamental point of exaggerated realism that distinguishes it from moderate realism, highlighting a key philosophical debate about the nature of universals and their relationship to particular entities.