Ontology Questions Medium
In philosophy, ontological commitments refer to the various types of entities or things that a particular theory or worldview assumes or asserts to exist. There are several different types of ontological commitments, including:
1. Existence commitments: This type of ontological commitment asserts the existence of certain entities or objects. For example, a theory might have an existence commitment to physical objects, abstract entities like numbers, or even supernatural beings like gods.
2. Identity commitments: Identity commitments involve the assumption that certain entities are identical or the same. This can include the identity of individuals over time (personal identity) or the identity of objects despite changes in their properties.
3. Dependence commitments: Dependence commitments involve the assumption that certain entities depend on or are grounded in other entities. For example, a theory might assert that mental states depend on physical brain states or that moral values depend on cultural norms.
4. Causal commitments: Causal commitments involve the assumption that certain entities or events have causal powers or are causally related to each other. This can include the assumption that physical objects have causal powers, or that mental events are causally related to physical events.
5. Modal commitments: Modal commitments involve the assumption that certain entities or events are possible or necessary. This can include the assumption that certain objects necessarily exist, or that certain events are only possible under specific conditions.
These are just a few examples of the different types of ontological commitments that can be found in philosophical theories. It is important to note that different theories or worldviews may have different ontological commitments, and these commitments can have significant implications for how we understand the nature of reality.