Ontological: meaning, definitions and examples
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ontological
[ ɒnˈtɒlədʒɪkəl ]
philosophical usage
Ontological refers to the branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relationships of being. It is a fundamental aspect of philosophy that deals with concepts of existence and reality, examining what it means to be. Ontological questions inquire about the categories of being and their relationships. This includes discussions about various entities, their properties, and how they relate to each other in the broader context of existence.
Synonyms
existential, metaphysical, philosophical.
Examples of usage
- The ontological debate centers on the nature of existence.
- Philosophers often engage in ontological discussions.
- His thesis focused on ontological implications of identity.
Translations
Translations of the word "ontological" in other languages:
🇵🇹 ontológico
🇮🇳 ऑन्टोलॉजिकल
🇩🇪 ontologisch
🇮🇩 ontologis
🇺🇦 онтологічний
🇵🇱 ontologiczny
🇯🇵 存在論的な
🇫🇷 ontologique
🇪🇸 ontológico
🇹🇷 ontolojik
🇰🇷 존재론적
🇸🇦 وجودي
🇨🇿 ontologický
🇸🇰 ontologický
🇨🇳 本体论的
🇸🇮 ontološki
🇮🇸 ontologískur
🇰🇿 онтологиялық
🇬🇪 ონტოლოგიური
🇦🇿 ontoloji
🇲🇽 ontológico
Etymology
The term 'ontological' is derived from the Greek word 'ontologia,' which is a combination of 'ont,' meaning 'being,' and 'logia,' meaning 'study' or 'theory.' Ontology as a formal discipline has its roots in the history of Western philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle and later philosophers who probed the nature of existence and the categorization of beings. The term became more prominent during the 17th century and beyond as philosophers like René Descartes and Martin Heidegger expanded on the concept of being. Today, ontological perspectives are foundational in various fields beyond philosophy, including logic, theology, and computer science, where questions about existence and categorization remain critical.