What is the belief of realism regarding universals?

Realism posits that universals are real entities that exist independently of the individual instances that manifest them. In this view, universals are not merely mental constructs or ideas but rather have a legitimate existence in the world. For example, the concept of "redness" exists as a universal quality that can be found in various red objects, regardless of whether any particular instance is being considered at that moment.

This belief contrasts sharply with other philosophical perspectives. The notion that universals are only mental concepts suggests that they have no existence outside of our thoughts, while the denial of universals entirely implies that there is no shared characteristic across different instances. Furthermore, the idea that universals are a mixture of ideas and reality complicates things by suggesting an ambiguous relationship that does not align with the clear affirmative stance of realism regarding the independent existence of universals. Therefore, the assertion that universals are real and exist encapsulates the realist viewpoint accurately.