The debate between nominalism and realism centers on the question of whether universals, such as 'humanity' or 'redness', exist independently of particulars, such as individual human beings or red objects.

Nominalists argue that universals are not real entities that exist independently of particulars, but rather are merely names or labels that we use to group together similar particulars.

Realists argue that universals are real entities that exist independently of particulars, and that they are the foundation of our knowledge of the world.

William of Ockham is considered to be the most influential nominalist philosopher, and his work had a profound impact on the development of philosophy in the late Middle Ages.

Thomas Aquinas is considered to be one of the most influential realist philosophers, and his work had a profound impact on the development of philosophy in the late Middle Ages.

The principle of parsimony, also known as Ockham's Razor, states that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the best.

Nominalists argue that universals are not real because they are unnecessary, and that the principle of parsimony supports this view.

The problem of universals is a complex philosophical problem that has been debated for centuries. It encompasses a number of related questions, including the question of how universals can be both one and many, the question of how universals can be both immanent and transcendent, and the question of how universals can be both real and mental.

Nominalists argue that the problem of universals can be solved by denying that universals are real entities. They argue that universals are merely names or labels that we use to group together similar particulars.

Realists argue that the problem of universals can be solved by affirming that universals are real entities. They argue that universals are the foundation of our knowledge of the world, and that they are necessary for us to be able to understand the world around us.

A universal is a concept that applies to many different particulars. Examples of universals include 'humanity', 'redness', 'justice', and 'beauty'.

A particular is a specific individual thing. Examples of particulars include 'Socrates', 'this table', 'the Eiffel Tower', and 'the planet Earth'.

Realists argue that universals and particulars are both real, and that they are related to each other in a hierarchical fashion. Universals are the higher-level concepts that apply to many different particulars, while particulars are the lower-level entities that instantiate those universals.

Nominalism, by denying the reality of universals, leads to a more fragmented and individualistic view of the world. This is because, if universals are not real, then there is no underlying unity or commonality between different particulars. Each particular is then seen as a unique and isolated entity.

Realism, by affirming the reality of universals, leads to a more unified and holistic view of the world. This is because, if universals are real, then there is an underlying unity or commonality between different particulars. This unity is provided by the universals that the particulars instantiate.