ONTOLOGY: EXPLORING THE NATURE OF BEING FROM CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY TO CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT
Abstract
Ontology, as one of the oldest and most profound branches of philosophy, investigates the nature, structure, and meaning of existence. It seeks to answer fundamental questions such as: what does it mean to be? what kinds of entities truly exist? how do consciousness and matter interact within the framework of reality? These questions have guided philosophical thought for more than two millennia, from the metaphysical insights of Plato and Aristotle to the existential interpretations of Heidegger, Sartre, and contemporary philosophers.
This paper examines ontology as both a historical and conceptual discipline, highlighting how the philosophical understanding of being has evolved alongside the development of science, culture, and human cognition. Ancient thinkers viewed being as a reflection of cosmic order and universal harmony. Medieval philosophy tied it to divine creation and theological explanation. In contrast, modern thought redefined being through human reason, experience, and existence itself, turning the inquiry inward toward the human condition.
The study also explores the interdisciplinary dimension of ontology, emphasizing its connections with physics, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence. The emergence of digital realities and virtual identities challenges classical metaphysical frameworks, requiring philosophy to rethink the boundaries of real existence. By combining historical-philosophical analysis with a modern interpretive approach, this research aims to demonstrate that ontology is not a static field but a living process of understanding the evolving essence of being.
Ultimately, the article concludes that ontology remains the foundation of all philosophical inquiry; it is through the study of being that humanity discovers not only what exists, but also the meaning, purpose, and direction of existence itself in a constantly transforming world.
Keywords
Ontology, being, existence, metaphysics, philosophy of being, consciousness, reality, essence, Aristotle, Plato, Heidegger, existentialism, digital reality, artificial intelligence, human cognition.
References
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