ontology
Meaning: The branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of being, existence, and reality, asking what kinds of entities exist and how they relate to one another.
Ontology is one of the oldest branches of philosophy, addressing questions such as 'What exists?' and 'What does it mean for something to exist?' In information science and computing, an ontology refers to a formal representation of knowledge within a domain — a structured framework of concepts and their relationships. The adjective 'ontological' appears in phrases like 'ontological argument' (a proof of God's existence based on the concept of a necessary being).
Examples
- The ontology of social media raises questions about whether online identities constitute real selves. 社交媒体的本体论提出了网络身份是否构成真实自我的问题。La ontología de las redes sociales plantea la cuestión de si las identidades digitales constituyen un verdadero yo.ソーシャルメディアの存在論は、オンライン上のアイデンティティが本当の自己を構成するかどうかという問いを提起します。소셜 미디어의 존재론은 온라인상의 정체성이 진정한 자아를 구성하는지에 대한 물음을 제기합니다.
- In computer science, an ontology provides a shared vocabulary for representing knowledge in a particular domain. 在计算机科学中,本体论为表示特定领域的知识提供了一套共享词汇。En informática, una ontología proporciona un vocabulario compartido para representar el conocimiento en un dominio particular.コンピュータサイエンスにおいて、オントロジーは特定の領域の知識を表現するための共有語彙を提供します。컴퓨터 과학에서 온톨로지는 특정 영역의 지식을 표현하기 위한 공유 어휘를 제공합니다.
- Heidegger's ontology sought to understand the meaning of Being itself, rather than individual beings. 海德格尔的本体论试图理解'存在'本身的意义,而非个别的存在者。La ontología de Heidegger buscaba comprender el significado del Ser en sí mismo, más que el de los seres individuales.ハイデガーの存在論は、個々の存在者ではなく、存在そのものの意味を理解しようとするものでした。하이데거의 존재론은 개별 존재자가 아닌 존재 자체의 의미를 이해하고자 했습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek on (being, that which is), genitive ontos, and -logia (study of). First used in its philosophical sense in the early 17th century by German philosophers.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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