realism vs philosophical theory

realism and philosophical theory both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
realism	Yes	No	No	No
philosophical theory	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, philosophical theory is a hypernym of realism; that is, philosophical theory is a word with a broader meaning than realism:

realism: (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical objects continue to exist when not perceived
philosophical theory: a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy

Other hypernyms of realism include philosophical doctrine.

As nouns, philosophical theory is a hypernym of realism; that is, philosophical theory is a word with a broader meaning than realism:

realism: (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names
philosophical theory: a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy

Other hypernyms of realism include philosophical doctrine.

realism (noun)	philosophical theory (noun)
the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth	a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical objects continue to exist when not perceived
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names
an artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description
the state of being actual or real