Ontology

Ontology is a sub-field of metaphysics and deals with the questions around existence. For example, does the material world exist? Does God exist? Do minds exist? The field of ontology has been particularly hard to define as it relates and interacts very closely with the rest of metaphysics [separate entry], as well as the field of epistemology - or the study of knowledge. When looking at the question of whether the external (outside of our mind) world exists, the discussion begs the question of how one can ‘know’ whatever the conclusion is. Thus, within ontology (or perhaps apart from it), there are questions of meta-ontology. Meta-ontological questions center around how ontology itself should function, be treated, and go about its inquiry. These questions around the framework of ontology have received great interest, especially in recent years, though the central and old questions are still around, for a few reasons. As metaphysics is termed ‘first philosophy’ as it is oft considered to be the starting point of many inquiries, ontology likewise can said to be a starting point. To look at the ontological question of whether God exists or not branches off into general metaphysics, epistemology, theology, and perhaps even logic. Needless to say, this field is significantly more sophisticated than mere queries of ‘does this table exist’, and the field has been discussed from Pre-Socratic times, with Thales of Miletus even making ontological claims about the world, to Spinoza's theory that everything is only substance [that substance being God], and to more contemporary works. Though the ‘Key Figures’ section lists seven [7] important philosophers, virtually all philosophers throughout history can equally be included, as metaphysics has been greatly appreciated.