Realism in Meta-Ontology
In the realm of philosophy, meta-ontological realism is the position that there are objective, factual answers to the fundamental questions of ontology—the study of being and existence. Rather than viewing existence as a matter of linguistic convention or subjective perspective, realists believe that the nature of reality is something to be discovered.
Modern discourse on meta-ontological realism is primarily divided into two influential frameworks: the Quinean approach and the neo-Aristotelian approach. While both seek to describe reality, they differ fundamentally in their goals, methods, and the resulting structure of the universe they describe.
Key Facts
- Meta-ontological realism asserts that basic ontological questions have objective answers.
- The Quinean approach focuses on determining what exists and what does not exist.
- The neo-Aristotelian approach focuses on the hierarchy of entities and their fundamentality.
- Metaphysical grounding is the process by which non-fundamental entities depend on fundamental ones.
- Flat ontologies treat all existing objects as equal in status, while ordered ontologies arrange them hierarchically.
The Quinean Approach: Determining Existence
The Quinean approach defines the primary goal of ontology as the identification of what exists. W.V.O. Quine developed a rigorous method for this by utilizing first-order logic (a formal system of mathematics and logic) and existing scientific theories. By translating scientific theories into logical formulas, philosophers can identify the existential quantifiers—symbols that indicate whether at least one member of a set exists.
This method is based on the premise that scientific theories represent our most accurate guesses about truth. For these theories to be true, there must be truthmakers—actual entities in reality that make the statements true. In this framework, existential quantifiers serve as a guide to identifying these truthmakers.
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The "Easy" Approach to Ontology
Amie L. Thomasson offers an alternative to Quine's science-heavy method, known as the "easy approach." Instead of relying on formal logic and scientific theory, Thomasson utilizes common sense and trivial premises. For instance, to argue for the existence of numbers, one might observe five books on a table; since the number of books is five, it follows that numbers exist. This approach differs from Quine's in both its reliance on common sense and its interpretation of quantification.
The Neo-Aristotelian Approach: Fundamentality and Grounding
Unlike the Quinean focus on a binary (exists vs. does not exist), the neo-Aristotelian approach seeks to determine which entities are fundamental and how others depend upon them. This dependency is described through metaphysical grounding.
Fundamental entities are those that are not grounded in anything else. For example, some philosophers argue that elementary particles are more fundamental than macroscopic objects, such as chairs or tables, because the particles compose the objects. In this view, the relationship between the microscopic and macroscopic is a core ontological claim.
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Historical and Modern Variations
Aristotle himself practiced a form of this approach, suggesting that different categories of entities possess different degrees of fundamentality. He argued that substances are the most fundamental because they exist in themselves, whereas properties are less fundamental because they depend on substances to exist.
A contemporary evolution of this thought is Jonathan Schaffer's priority monism. Schaffer proposes that at the most fundamental level, only one thing exists: the world as a whole. While this does not deny the existence of everyday objects like cars or people, it asserts that these objects do not possess the most fundamental form of existence.
Comparing Ontological Structures
Jonathan Schaffer highlights a critical distinction between these two schools of thought regarding the "shape" of reality:
- Flat Ontology: Associated with the Quinean approach, where all existing objects are on the same level of fundamentality.
- Ordered Ontology: Associated with the neo-Aristotelian approach, where entities exist in a hierarchical structure, with higher levels grounded in more basic levels.
- Sorted Ontology: A third type where entities are classified into exclusive categories, though these categories do not necessarily imply a hierarchy.
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| Feature | Quinean Approach | Neo-Aristotelian Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Determine what exists | Determine fundamentality and dependence |
| Primary Tool | First-order logic / Science | Metaphysical grounding |
| Ontology Type | Flat | Ordered |
| Key Figure | W.V.O. Quine / Amie L. Thomasson | Aristotle / Jonathan Schaffer |
Despite these differences, some argue that neo-Aristotelianism is not a strict alternative to Quineanism. Consequently, many modern ontological theories combine elements of both approaches to create a comprehensive view of reality without creating logical inconsistencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a flat and an ordered ontology?
A flat ontology treats all existing entities as equal in their level of existence. An ordered ontology organizes entities into a hierarchy, where some are more fundamental than others and serve as the basis (grounding) for the less fundamental entities.
How does Amie L. Thomasson's approach differ from Quine's?
While Quine relies on first-order logic and scientific theories to determine existence, Thomasson uses an "easy approach" based on common-sense premises and intuitive observations.
What is priority monism?
Priority monism, proposed by Jonathan Schaffer, is the view that the world as a whole is the only truly fundamental entity, and all other objects are derived from or dependent upon it.
What are truthmakers in the Quinean approach?
Truthmakers are the actual entities or states of affairs in reality that make a scientific theory or logical statement true. Existential quantifiers in logic help philosophers identify these truthmakers.
Can a philosopher be both a Quinean and a neo-Aristotelian?
Yes. Because some argue that neo-Aristotelianism is not a genuine alternative but rather a complementary perspective, it is possible to combine elements of both approaches in a single consistent theory.