Moral realism refers to the notion that there are objective moral facts in the world that exist independently of human beliefs and attitudes. Synonyms for moral realism include moral objectivism, moral absolutism, and moral cognitivism. Each of these terms implies that there are universal moral truths that can be discovered and understood through reason and empirical investigation. Additionally, these terms imply that morality is not merely a matter of personal opinion, cultural norms, or subjective preferences. Instead, they suggest that there are ethical principles that apply to all human beings regardless of their culture, religion, or individual experiences.