Ontology

Philosophy

Home » Philosophy » Ontology

As stated before, ontology was the first brand service from metaphysics. Ontology is the philosophical study of being in general, it is different from epistemology because it does not question the nature of ‘reality’ but rather asks ‘does reality even exists?’. It was called “first philosophy” by Aristotle in his 5th book of Metaphysics. The Latin term ontologia – meaning science of being – was first coined in 1606 by the German philosopher Jacob Lorhardus in his work Ogdoas Scholastica.

A typical ontological inquiry is followed by a cluster of philosophers validating the existence of some category of object (realists) – note that in the subject of ontology, philosophers categorize objects based on their properties – while from a different standpoint another cluster denies and debates this objects nature of existence (antirealists). Historically, these categories have included ideals, abstract forms, universals, immaterial minds, a mind-independent world, possible but not actual objects, essences, free will, and God. A considerable section of early philosophy in its gist is actually a series of ontological disputes.

Connect

Latest posts:

Introduction

How do we really define Philosophy? The Greek word φιλοσοφία – Philosophia. Or as the term has been coined by modern Western language – Philosophy. The literal meaning of this word is relatively static. Derived from its Greek origin it comprises two separate words...

Branches of philosophy

The forefathers of philosophy and the minds that established the substratum for this school of thought belonged to ancient Greece during the 6th century BCE. The phenomenon was initiated when thinkers began to question conventional explanations regarding the universe,...

Metaphysics

During its inception, the greatest subject of interest for early philosophers was: the physical realm and its components, the question of ‘What are things made of?’. In its most basic form, this laid the groundwork for the first branch of philosophy called...

Epistemology

There’s a method in everything. For ancient Greek philosophers, the method of their search, questions, and how they approach the matter of human reasoning became questionable itself as they realized how most of their ventures were collectively starting with a ‘How’...

Logic

The stark contrast between faith and rationality – religion and philosophy – convention and curiosity – is Logic. Although it is often confused with reasoning, logic is the study of correct reasoning, especially as it involves the drawing of inferences. This is the...



Free Semiology Course


Check it out!

Free Course in Semiology

 

A completely and truly free course on Semiology (Semiotics). Learn about the meaning of signs, how and why did the field emerged. What is the relationship between the street signs and the signs that we use every day - words.

 

Learn Semiology