Ontology in philosophy: the science of existence

A bit from the history of the term

The term "ontology" was introduced by the philosopher from Germany Rudolf Gokleniusom. In the process of development, the concepts introduced into it have repeatedly changed. In medieval times, trying to make up the doctrine of being, he was regarded as a philosophical proof of the truths in religion. With the onset of the New Age, the ontology in philosophy began to represent a part of metaphysics, which studies the supersensible structure of everything that exists.

Today, ontology is the division of philosophy about being, the supersensible world and the world as a whole.

Thus, the terms "metaphysics" and "ontology" are close in meaning. For some time they were used as synonyms. Over time, the term "metaphysics" came out of use, and its place was rightly occupied by ontology.

Object of study in ontology

There are two main aspects - being and non-existence, - studying ontology in philosophy. For the philosophical interpretation of all that exists in the world, the category of being acts as the starting point. Ontological study of the world involves the use of a whole system of philosophical categories, the main ones being the concepts of being and non-being.

Being is an all-encompassing reality, that which exists, is in fact. The concept of "being" includes a world that exists realistically. It forms the basis of all phenomena and things, guarantees their availability. Non-existence is the absence, the unreality of everything that is concrete, real. Thus, ontology is the division of philosophy about existence, being.

Origin and development of ontology

What were the stages of formation ontology in philosophy? Philosophy as a science and the question of being arise simultaneously. For the first time he studied the philosopher of antiquity Parmenides. For him, being and thought were identical concepts. He also argued that being did not appear from somewhere and destroy it is also impossible, it is immovable and will never end in time. Non-existence, in his opinion, does not exist.

Democritus held the view that all things are atoms, thus recognizing being and non-being.

Plato was opposed to the world of spiritual ideas and essences - that which represents true being, to the world of sensible things, which tend to change. He recognized both being and non-being.

Aristotle represented matter as "being in possibility."

In the teachings that arose in the Middle Ages, by being understood God himself. With the onset of the New Age, ontology in philosophy treated being as the mind, the consciousness of man. The only, indubitable and authentic being were the person, her consciousness and needs, her life. It consists of such basic forms: the spiritual and material being of man, the being of things, the being of society (social). Such unity helps to present a common basis for everything that exists.

Philosophical and legal ontology

What is the essence of law in general, it is impossible to understand without understanding what the philosophical and legal ontology is.

The realities of everyday life are contrasted with the system of the normative-evaluating world, to which man obeys. It dictates each person different rules and requirements - political, moral, legal. This system also introduces certain norms into the life world of everyone (for example, at what age can you attend school, take part in electoral processes, marry, be brought to administrative and criminal responsibility), prescribes certain norms of conduct.

Thus, the philosophical and legal ontology is a way of organizing and interpreting certain aspects of social life and at the same time being a person. The existence of the law and actual being have significant differences, because the legal existence provides for the performance of certain duties. A person must obey the laws adopted in society. Therefore, the philosophical and legal ontology is a branch of science that has its own specifics. He regards the being of law as "being-duty". Law is a sphere of due, namely that which "visibly" does not exist, but whose reality is of great importance in the life of every representative of society.

The legal reality also implies a system that exists within the framework of human being. It consists of elements that are peculiar to the performance of certain functions. In fact, it is a superstructure that includes legal institutions, relations and consciousness.