Platonism
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Platonism is the philosophy of Plato and philosophical systems closely derived from it, considered the opposite of nominalism, or anti-realism. Platonism has had a profound influence on Western though
Head of Plato, Roman copy. The original was exhibited at the Academy after the death of the philosopher (348/347 BC).
Plato holding his Timaeus, detail from the Vatican fresco The School of Athens
Site of Plato's Academy in Athens
Many Western churchmen, including Augustine of Hippo, have been influenced by Platonism.
Problem of universals
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The problem of universals is an ancient question from metaphysics that has inspired a range of philosophical topics and disputes: "Should the properties an object has in common with other objects, suc
Platonism
…profound influence on Western thought. Platonism or Platonic realism affirms the real existence of forms or abstract objects, originally to solve the problem of universals. Abstract objects are asserted to exist in a third realm distinct from both the sensible external world and from the internal world of consciousness…
Boethius teaching his students