Ontological Status Research Articles

Leibniz on Possibilia, Creation, and the Reality of Essences

This paper reconsiders Leibniz’s conception of the nature of possible things and offers a novel interpretation of the actualization of possible substances. This requires analyzing a largely neglected notion, the reality of individual essences. Thus far scholars have tended to construe essences as representational items in God’s intellect. We acknowledge that finite essences have being in the divine intellect but insist that they are also grounded in the infinite essence of God, as limitations of it. Indeed, we show that it is critical to understand that this dependence on God’s essence is prior to the dependence on God through divine ideas. Here it is crucial to distinguish questions concerning the ontological status of essences from questions concerning their reality. This yields a fresh view of Leibniz’s theory of creation, which takes seriously his claim that the same thing is first a mere possibility but after creation an actually existent substance.

Philosophie et anthropologie des religions de près

In this article, we propose to read Albert Piette’s La religion de près from a philosophical perspective, in order to lay the foundations for a « philosophy of religion de près ». In his 1999 book, Piette pursues two aims : to describe the life of a parish to show how actions make it possible to make God present, and to defend an epistemology of anthropology that focuses on the beings that are present, and thus on ontology. It is by reflecting on the fruitfulness and limits of this project that a philosophy of religious belief can be presented, since the confrontation between philosophy and anthropology makes it possible to clarify the use of the concept of belief and the status of ontology.

Dialect Writing in Liu Renqian’s Vernacular Novels

In terms of vernacular novels, it is impossible to read the divine reason and flavor of life in the dry language, and some life contents can only be expressed through dialect. It should be seen that dialect is the main form of language narration in Fragrant River. Dialect in Liu Renqian’s writing no longer exists as a rhetoric, but has the status and significance of organic ontology. Dialect writing is not only a local expression of vernacular daily life, but also a way of Liu Renqian’s characterization, as well as one of the ways of constructing the narrative and plot of the work. The large number of Xinghua dialects in Liu Renqian’s novels prepares the atmosphere for the content of the stories, and at the same time, it also gives the characters an innate local flavor and fireworks, which well reflects the novelist’s vision of making a biography of his hometown and passing on the cultural characteristics of Wang’s novels. This kind of dialect writing is to keep a literary archive for the local culture, and at the same time, it is to sing an endless elegy for this dying culture.

The Motif of Arboreal Metamorphosis in the Neo-Latin Pastoral. The Case Study of Jacopo Sannazaro’s Salices and Pierre-Daniel Huet’s Vitis

The aim of this article is to analyse two examples of the motif of arboreal metamorphosis in the Neo-Latin bucolic, present in the poems by Jacopo Sannazaro (Salices) and Pierre-Daniel Huet (Vitis). In Salices, nymphs fleeing from the deities are transformed into willows, repeting the fate of Ovid’s Daphne, Syrinx and the Heliades. In Vitis the poet creates a story about a nymph, named Vitis, on the basis of the love story of the satyr Ampelos and Dionysus. For betraying Bacchus, she is turned into a vine and her lover Ulmus into an elm. Their fate is similar to Ovid’s Myrrha and Philemon and Baucis. In the history of Vitis, particularly in the description of the lovers’ metamorphosis, one can see borrowings from Sannazaro. Both bucolic poems are linked by the ambiguity of the ontological status of the newly created plants. They differ in their moral interpretation of metamorphosis. The turning of the nymphs into trees can be understood as some kind of punishment for the rape that had been committed on them. On the other hand, Vitis, who committed treachery, is in fact rewarded and by the will of Jupiter she remains united with her lover forever.

“The Bathed Ones”: Transformation into Gods among the Precontact Nahua

Abstract In the sixteenth century, Fray Diego Durán gave rise to a scholarly myth that the primary purpose of Nahua ritual baths was “purification.” This article deconstructs his interpretation, focusing on baths performed on deities’ impersonators (ixiptla), and particularly the so-called tlaaltiltin, “bathed ones.” It argues that “baths,” which often consisted of merely sprinkling one’s face with water, had, above all, a transformative power. In the case of deities’ impersonators, they helped them change their ontological status, converting humans into gods and, sometimes, the other way around. The article concludes that the fabrication of a deity’s ixiptla necessarily involved applying a special kind of liquid, different for every god. Like godly attires, these “waters” contained the god’s traits or essence that enabled the transformation.

Hypothetical Inquiry in Plato's Timaeus

This paper re-constructs Plato's ‘philosophy of geometry’ by arguing that he uses a geometrical method of hypothesis in his account of the cosmos’ generation in the Timaeus. Commentators on Plato's philosophy of mathematics often start from Aristotle's report in the Metaphysics that Plato admitted the existence of mathematical objects in-between ( metaxu) Forms and sensible particulars ( Meta. 1.6, 987b14–18). I argue, however, that Plato's interest in mathematics was centred on its methodological usefulness for philosophical inquiry, rather than on questions of mathematical ontology. My key passage of interest is Timaeus’ account of the generation of the primary bodies in the cosmos, i.e. fire, air, water and earth ( Tim. 48b–c, 53b–56c). Timaeus explains the primary bodies’ origin by hypothesising two right-angled triangles as their starting-point ( arkhê) and describing their individual geometrical constitution. This hypothetical operation recalls the hypothetical method which Socrates introduces in the Meno (86e–87b), as well as the use of hypotheses by mathematicians which is described in the Republic (510b–c). Throughout the passage, Timaeus is focussed on explicating the bodies in terms of their formal structure, without however considering the ontological status of the triangles in relation to the physical world.

Can't Find the Time: Temporality in Madhyamaka

Abstract: The relation between Prāsaṅgika-Madhyamaka accounts of time and contemporary physical accounts of time are considered. Caution is urged in assimilating them too quickly, and caution that there are many differences in detail. Nonetheless, it is shown that if we follow carefully a philosophical arc from Nāgārjuna through Tsongkhapa and Dōgen, we encounter a relational account of time and of our experience of temporality that can inform thought about the ontological status of time in contemporary physical theory, about the anisotropy of time, and about the observer-relativity of time. There is room for dialogue, but only if we are clear about what Madhyamaka does and does not bring to the table.

발명철학의 존재론과 인식론적 고찰

This study aims to examine the complex and multifaceted nature of invention in the ontological
 and epistemological aspects of the philosophy of invention. The conclusions drawn are as follows.
 First, the ontological status of invention is complex and multifaceted, encompassing its perception
 as a product of human subjective action, an objective entity, and a result of the interaction between
 subjectivity and objectivity. Second, in the ontology of invention, the issue of novelty sparks a
 debate regarding the criteria for deeming an invention genuinely new. Third, in the ontology of
 invention, subjective creativity exists in an individual's cognitive and imaginative process, while
 objective creativity manifests as new inventions and technological artifacts, serving as visible
 outcomes of the invention process. Fourth, in the epistemology of invention, invention hinges on
 dynamic interactions involving the acquisition of new knowledge and its integration with existing
 knowledge. Inventors focus on gathering diverse knowledge from various sources and integrating it
 to generate innovative ideas. Fifth, in the epistemology of invention, the significance of tacit
 knowledge and expert knowledge extends beyond explicitly expressed or codified knowledge,
 playing pivotal roles in the invention process. Sixth, in the epistemology of invention, justification
 provides the basis for inferences and arguments that support the significance of invention within the
 context of invention claims and descriptions. Finally, in the epistemology of invention, the social
 construction of invention underscores that both invention and knowledge are not solely products of
 individual effort but are also shaped by social and cultural factors.
 In terms of the implications of exploring the philosophy of invention for invention education, on
 the ontological side of invention, it is essential for school-based invention education to prioritize the
 development of creativity as a core competency. On the epistemological side of invention, invention
 education should recognize the importance of experiential learning. It should provide students with
 opportunities for hands-on maker experiences, project-based learning, and mentorship from experts in
 relevant fields to foster the development of students' tacit knowledge.

Cyberpunk as a Metacultural Movement: Philosophical-Cultural Analysis

The aim of the article is to analyse the phenomenon of modern mass culture and during this analysis find out its ontological status including scientism-technological imperatives of cyberculture and ideas of transhumanism. Results. Cyberpunk is an interesting, functional and new (in comparison with classical examples) form of mass culture, cultural-ideological movement, and sphere of translation and the intersection of protest ideas and meanings, due to its genre and sectoral pluralism (science fiction, film industry, music, design, video games, fashion, ideology, etc.), and also logics of technodeterminism, is still an important factor of transformation cultural-art space in the 21st century. Scientific novelty. In the article, for the first time, realised the philosophical-cultural analysis of cyberpunk including its peculiarities as a literary genre, phenomenon of mass culture and aesthetics. Conclusions. It is proved that cyberpunk appeared as a genre of science fiction literature in the 1960s-1970s and then later through conceptualisation of ideas in the 80s and agreeing of transcendental impulses counterculture of the 60s with computerisation and the specifics of technological evolution in the 90s, has evolved to the level of a metacultural movement. As the latter, it encompasses the literary genre, the film and fashion industry, architecture and graphic design (with a special aesthetic), technoanthropology, futurology and identity theory, and ideological discourse. It is confirmed that thanks to protest as a manifestation of freedom, the actualisation of the problem of corporeality, and dystopian high-tech projections, with the help of postmodern relativism and poststructuralist rhizomorphism, cyberpunk annihilates modern cultural narratives, thus creating many risks, including the potential formation of pathological forms of identification, declarative asociality, and cyber-prosthetics, which often develop into horrific manifestations of dehumanisation.

The Development of the Verb System in the Ontological Opposition of Space and time in the Indo-European Language Family.

The research investigates the system of the Indo-European verb through the lens of Gustave Guillaume's psycho-systematics theory. By employing "mental vision" and phenomenology, the linguistic concept was explored at multiple levels: the surface structure of language in speech and the deeper level within the Indo-European language system. The analysis of the tense system of the Indo-European verb starts with the ontologisation of a person in both the world and language. This perspective highlights the taxonomic relevance of philosophical factors that shape the development of the "image of time" from a prehistoric viewpoint within the Indo-European language family. The purpose of this research is to delve into the Indo-European verb system using Gustave Guillaume's psycho-systematics theory as the theoretical framework. To achieve this, the authors draw on examples from French, English, Ukrainian, and Russian languages. The study aims to examine the process of the Indo-European verb's development within the ontological opposition of space and time and the ontological status of the grammatical tense and mood categories in the Indo-European verb system. It was discovered that grammatical forms of verbs in the Indo-European language family provide insights into their formal essence. These forms represent the "positions" they occupy within the ontological dialectical relationship of space, time, language, and thinking. The research sheds light on the Indo-European verb system by applying Guillaume's psycho-systematics theory. By clarifying the relationship between space, time, language, and thinking, a deeper understanding of linguistic structures and how they reflect human cognition and conceptualization of action can be gained.

"Śniło mu się, że nie spał”: Ontologiczna niestabilność w powieści Jamesa Robertsona "The Fanatic"

Set in the seventeenth and late twentieth centuries, James Robertson’s first novel The Fanatic (2000) is not only a powerful exploration of Scottish history and the interrelationships between past and present, but also an example of historical metafiction, concerned with the nature of historical and fictional reconstructions. As this article argues, the world model created in The Fanatic is characterized by inherent epistemological and ontological instability, visible at all levels of the text’s construction. The two plot lines, the seventeenth century past and the twentieth century present, initially set apart, increasingly blur and permeate each other until finally it is impossible to tell what is past and what is present, what is “real” and what re-constructed or imagined. The ontological status of the narrated events is equally unstable, as they often turn out to be false memories, hallucinations or delusions of the characters, while the fictionality of the characters is foregrounded by means of intertextual allusions. Finally, the status and reliability of the seemingly objective, heterodiegetic narrator becomes increasingly questionable as the story unfolds. Far from despairing of the possibility of offering a reliable historical reconstruction; however, the novel celebrates the very instability, which allows for constant imaginative reinterpretation and renewal of the past in the present, and of reality in fiction.

THE PERSON AFTER DEATH IN HOLISTIC-CONFIGURATIONAL THEORY

The current debate between Thomists of the corruptionist view and the survivalist view revolves around the most appropriate interpretation of Thomas’ texts about the persistence of the person after death. The present article criticizes both views, and offers a new interpretation of Thomas which is capable of resolving the problem. However, the main scope of the paper consists in offering an alternative theory to the hylomorphic view of the person, and introduces a more adequate and coherent theoretical framework to make explicit the ontological status of the human being and their place in the world. The result will be the explication of the holistic-configurational theory of the person from structural- systematic philosophy that shows how the personal configuration persists after bodily death because of its intentional-systematic location in the whole of Being, determined by the prime facts intentionally coextensive with Being. Keywords: Hylomorphic view. Survival of the person. Structural-systematic philosophy. Thomism.

Esprit de Corpsand thinking on (and with) your feet: Standard, enactive, and poststructuralist aspects of relational autonomy and collective intentionality in team sports

AbstractTo concretize my discussion of relational autonomy and collective intentionality, I present a case study in which we can see several themes in that scholarly literature exemplified in a real‐life event. The event in question is the Megan Rapinoe‐Abby Wambach goal in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup of 2011, one of the greatest in all World Cup history (A video clip of the goal can be found at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B4q6di‐3fg.). In the case study, I concentrate on the ontological status of two key aspects of soccer, the linking of teammates by a pass, and the emergence of the team from the interactions of players. I use concepts drawn from poststructuralism, phenomenology, and enactivist approaches to embodied cognition.

The Religious Approach Prevents Threat of Environmental Damage

Protection against the threat of damage to the natural environment, is more often faced with the creation of laws and regulations to prevent it. However, the rules made are more defeated by economic factors, domestic and world market needs. Likewise, the protection and management of the environment and natural resources relies heavily on economic factors as the main motive which subordinates norms and ethical factors. Many environmental experts are of the opinion that practical and technical measures to protect and manage the environment and natural resources that only rely on scientific and technological assistance are not the right solution. Then various solutions are offered to prevent environmental damage, including through the theory of adaptation. Another offer is through a religious teaching approach because the assumption is that through the argument of the holy book, excessive exploitation of nature and damage to the environment due to human actions can be prevented and is an important alternative. This research will discuss whether a religious approach can be effective in avoiding damage to the surrounding natural environment or not using a literature review technique. The results show that the verses and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad actually invite mankind to listen, think, and be grateful for God's creation by utilizing nature, the environment and protecting the environment. Hence, the conclusion is religious approach can contribute to regional development in the era of regional autonomy freedom in facing environmental preservation in the midst of a very sharp and ruthless global capitalism. Even though the dominant form of this knowledge in modern society is not religious, but religion legitimizes social institutions and orders by giving them ontological status. Thus, the Ulama Fatwa in dealing with environmental damage is an important step to maintain a better life.

Icons and ontological (in)security

Abstract What role do national icons play in a political community’s drive for ontological security? And what implications does this have for global politics? This article situates national icons in service of state ontological security. Icons both unify and divide political communities; therefore they serve, but also disrupt, ontological security-seeking of collectives. Building on research on ontological security and status in International Relations, we examine two case studies of national icons – Vesna Vulović, the celebrated Serbian flight attendant who miraculously survived a major plane crash, and Muhammad Ali, the American boxing legend. Both Vulović and Ali initially generated, and then countered, ontological security for their national communities as they transformed from popular culture celebrities into anti-regime political activists. We conclude the article by discussing opportunities for future avenues of research on icons and the politics of identity going forward.

Онтология на ценностите. Ценностно разсъждение

The article engages with the contemporary debate on values by delineating two problem lines. In order to have a proper explanation and derivation of values, we must recognize their ontological status, which undoubtedly provides the basis and movement towards an ontology of the spiritual and of valuable in general. This is the direction taken by Baden neo-Kantianism, and here the article traces the transformation of Kant’s apriorism into axiological apriorism. Once the values are recognized in their “realm”, they must be provided with their axiomatics. But the a priori forms through which they become accessible and are embedded in human rationality and human activity are also subject to consideration. For Rickert, one such form is judgment, but this defined a new role for judgment for human knowledge. The highest class of judgment in the Kantian and Hegelian classifications – modality, provides models of transition and structuring of the new a priori form of ratiocination, as a meta-formation, giving access and work to the unconditional and the values in human knowledge.

World humanities - Towards an ontology of policy

The border-crossing nature of science is well recognised, and has long been a focus of policy-makers with an interest in governing this space. The international aspect of the humanities is less clearly understood, and the extent to which it has been a focus of policy is similarly not well conceptualised. UNESCO’s efforts in this area provide a useful corpus of texts through which international humanities policy can be explored. Drawing on Theodor Adorno’s negative dialectics, this paper considers what UNESCO’s attempts at developing international humanities policy have to say about the ontological status of the humanities, and of policy itself. In setting out an ontology of policy, it generates a concept of ‘world humanities’ as a means of reconstituting the humanities its own specific mode of inquiry and form of knowledge.

Popper’s Propensity Interpretation of Quantum Physics as a form of Modal Metaphysics

With the emergence of quantum physics in the 1920s, the major philosophical question was, do the unobservables in quantum system have ontological status or are mere instruments for scientific prediction? The Copenhagen interpretation developed an instrumentalist thesis, contending that the unobservables are tools for making predictions concerning the observables. Thus, we cannot have knowledge of the quantum particles. However, Popper attempts a realist and an objective interpretation. As such, he criticizes the Copenhagen interpretation, developing the propensity view, which accords ontological status to subatomic particles. The main thrust of our argument in this paper is that by replacing probability possibilities with propensities, Popper positions himself as a proponent of the metaphysics of modality. It is then our objective to establish the parallelism between Popper’s Propensity Interpretation and Modal Metaphysics. To establish this contention we proceeded analytically: firstly by situating the seismic shift from macro to quantum physics, secondly by examining Popper’s critique of the Copenhagen Interpretation and thirdly by attempting a demonstration of the correlation between Popper’s propensity interpretation and modal metaphysics. The merit of this paper resides in its elucidation of the importance of metaphysics in science. It is a double challenge at the same time for antimetaphysical philosophy of science and for antiscientific metaphysics, to rethink the relationship between Metaphysics and science and invest in finding how both disciplines nurture each other. Finally, it is hoped that policy makers in Philosphy and science uses our findings to revamp the conceptualisation and practice of interdisciplinarity.

The Porretani on truth and propositional meaning

ABSTRACT This paper discusses a conception of truth and propositional meaning that was developed in the second half of the twelfth century by the followers of Gilbert of Poitiers, the Porretani. I begin by outlining some basic metaphysical principles that underlie the propositional semantics of the Porretani. I then go on to consider the Porretanean account of truth and of the truth-predicate, and argue that the Porretani subscribe to a form of deflationism about truth. Then, I turn to the Porretanean view of propositional meanings or ‘assertables’ (enuntiabilia), as they call them. After elucidating the crucial claim that an assertable is a composition or a division, I go on to address the question of the ontological status of assertables. I argue that the Porretani endorse a form of deflationism about propositional meaning. For they maintain that assertables, although indispensable to logical inquiry, are not real entities. I conclude by presenting a discussion on assertables contained in an unedited tract dating probably from the beginning of the thirteenth century. Like the Porretani, the author of the tract identifies assertables with compositions and divisions. However, he interestingly takes the theory in a new direction by introducing the concept of negative relation.

Shades of Structural Realism in Post-classical Islamic Thought

ABSTRACT What does Islamic theology have to say about the philosophy of science? The writings of post-classical Muslim thinkers offer a wealth of understudied material relevant to conceptualizing the ontological status, scope, and character of scientific inquiry and theorization. The Islamic tradition developed nuanced metaphysical and epistemological insights on unobservables, universals, and causality. Muslim astronomers developed sophisticated responses to perceived deficiencies in the Aristotelian-Ptolemaic model. In the contemporary debate between scientific realism and anti-realism, structural realism is a much-discussed middle ground which suggests a return to many of these insights. This challenges popular discourse on the relation between religion and science.