Nominalism is a philosophical view that denies the existence of universal entities or abstract objects outside of specific instances. According to nominalists, concepts like justice or beauty do not exist independently; instead, they are merely names or labels we use to describe particular experiences or objects in the world. This perspective contrasts with realism, which asserts that universals have a real existence. Nominalism emphasizes the importance of language and categorization, suggesting that our understanding of the world is shaped by the terms we use rather than by any inherent qualities of the objects themselves.