Metafísica VS Ontología: ¡Entiende la Diferencia! 😎

Metaphysics vs Ontology: What’s the Difference?

Understanding Metaphysics

• Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that seeks to answer profound questions about reality, aiming to understand what exists beyond our sensory experiences.

• Aristotle, known as the father of metaphysics, defined it as "the study of being qua being," focusing on the fundamental nature shared by all entities.

• Thomas Aquinas expanded on this by distinguishing between essence (what something is) and existence (that something is), shaping medieval metaphysical thought.

• Immanuel Kant later argued that we can only know phenomena (how things appear), not the things-in-themselves, shifting metaphysical inquiry towards conditions for human experience.

• Key metaphysical questions include: What is the universe? What is time? What does it mean for something to be real?

Exploring Ontology

• Ontology, a subset of metaphysics, focuses specifically on what entities exist in reality and categorizes them accordingly.

• Parmenides was one of the first philosophers to question existence itself, asserting that only being truly exists while change is an illusion.

• Aristotle introduced categories to classify different types of entities—substances, qualities, relations—which helped structure our understanding of existence.

• Martin Heidegger revolutionized ontology by emphasizing that before discussing existing things, we must understand the meaning of being itself; he termed this concept "Dasein."

• Ontological inquiries ask whether non-material entities like ideas or emotions exist and how they relate to physical objects.

Comparing Metaphysics and Ontology

Key Differences

• Scope:

• Metaphysics studies reality as a whole.

• Ontology examines specific entities within that reality.

• Central Question:

• Metaphysics asks about ultimate reality.

• Ontology queries which beings exist and their classifications.

Focus Areas

• Approach:

• Metaphysics deals with general principles governing being and the universe.

• Ontology focuses on types of entities and modes of existence.

Influential Thinkers

• Metaphysicians: Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Kant

• Ontologists: Parmenides, Aristotle again (for his categories), Heidegger

Examples Illustrating Differences

Example One: The Table

• Metaphysical Inquiry: Questions about what fundamentally constitutes a table—its materiality or essence—reflecting deeper truths about reality.

Example Two: The Emotion of Sadness

• Metaphysical Inquiry: Explores what sadness truly is—an emotional state or chemical reaction?

In contrast,

Example Two Continued

• Ontological Inquiry: Classifies sadness as an emotion or mental state and distinguishes it from other forms like biological responses.

Metaphysics and Ontology: Understanding Reality

Overview of Metaphysics and Ontology

• The speaker explains that metaphysics studies reality as a whole, focusing on its deepest principles.

• Ontology is defined as the branch of metaphysics that examines the types of things that exist within reality and their classifications.

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding both metaphysical concepts and ontological classifications for a comprehensive grasp of existence.

• The speaker expresses gratitude to the audience, indicating a conclusion to the lecture or discussion.

• An invitation is extended for classes held on Thursdays, with an assurance that they are affordable.