ontologically
- adverb
- /ˌɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkli/
- Specialized
- 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
To ask about the basic nature of reality
In a way that concerns a person's life, who they are, or their survival
Surface Forms
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'.