Which philosophical perspective argues that our knowledge of universals is merely a naming convention?

Nominalism is the philosophical perspective that posits our knowledge of universals—such as categories, properties, and classes—is not rooted in the existence of these universals as independent realities but rather is a product of linguistic conventions. In nominalism, only particular objects exist, and universals are simply names or labels we use to group these objects based on shared characteristics. This approach contrasts with realism, which asserts that universals have their own existence and can be known independent of human thought or language. Essentialism and rationalism do not adequately capture this perspective, as essentialism focuses on the intrinsic properties that define a category, while rationalism emphasizes reason and logic as the primary sources of knowledge. Therefore, nominalism effectively captures the idea that our understanding of universals is constructed through language and labels rather than reflecting any innate truths.