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ontologically

ontologically

1 9.8
In a way that is about the nature of being or existence
  • adverb
  • /ˌɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ontológicamente
  • Philosophers often debate whether abstract concepts exist ontologically or are merely human constructs.
  • ontologically actual world
  • ontologically distinct
  • ontologically complete

Examples

  • Realism is ontologically a belief that entities to which languages and theories refer do exist.

    Academic text (1995)
  • But what if, in more radical reading, reality is in itself ontologically incomplete?

  • And by reality, I mean that which is more ontologically basic than nature.

    Blog text (25)
  • The universal Church is not ontologically prior to the local churches.

    Academic text (2002)
  • To be determined by genetic engineering is, ontologically speaking, no more being determined than is being determined by a natural lottery.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Most of the things we say, even when we express our deepest beliefs are not ontologically transparent.

  • In fact, absolute time and space are ontologically and epistemologically necessary for the existence of all things.

    Academic text (2009)
  • We, in our darkness, may be ontologically blind, but we are not semantically deprived.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Like atmosphere itself, uneasiness is affectively vivid and yet ontologically ambiguous.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Forgiveness does what punishment cannot do; it ontologically transforms the very wound from which the logic of retribution derives.

    Academic text (2009)

Synonyms

metaphysically
vsontologically
  • Formal
5 9.9

To ask about the basic nature of reality

focuses more narrowly on the nature of being itself
existentially
vsontologically
3 7.7

In a way that concerns a person's life, who they are, or their survival

focuses on the nature of being rather than survival

Surface Forms

ontologically positive

Morphology

ontologically = ontological (semi-transparent) = ontology + ical + ly

Regular adverb formation from the adjective 'ontological' by adding '-ly', so the morphological step is clear.

Etymology

Ontologically comes from the Greek root onto-, from ontos meaning 'being', plus the part -logy meaning 'study'. So when something is described ontologically, it is about the basic nature of 'being' or 'existence'.