1. Ontology – Cont’d. Let’s summarize what we have covered, and then conclude our discussion of Ontology.

2. For Discussion A Simplified Ontological Scheme MaterialMentalSpiritual treeideasdeceased ancestors houseemotionsgods planetmemoriesghosts cellperceptionsauras sound wavelanguagemagic electronimaginationskarma hydrogen sulfidedreamssoul human bodymoralsenlightenment gravityattitudesevil spirits etc.

3. Materialism or Naturalism Some philosophies believe that only physical objects or matter and energy are real; that even mental creations are simply detectable and measurable changes in the brain and body; and, that spiritual things are merely another type of construction by the mind. Physical Matter and Energy

4. Idealism Some philosophies believe that all reality exists only in our minds; the material and spiritual worlds have no objective or independent existence or reality beyond our mental ideas, feelings, or images about them. Mental Constructs

5. Spiritualism Some philosophies believe material, mental, and spiritual things are all very real; but, they do not exist in separate categories; rather, they are interactive elements within a single integrated reality. Material Mental Spiritual

6. Skepticism Some philosophies doubt that we can know what exists or is real; our primary means of knowing (senses, minds, hearts) are simply too deceptive, too confused, and too unreliable to allow for any certainty about existence or reality. ? ? ? ? ?

7. Skepticism

8. Skepticism is a response to: Endless disagreements on the most basic ideas by very ‘smart’ people. The obvious fact that our brains, our senses, and our hearts so often deceive us.

9. The problems with Skepticism: Skeptics can’t really make a statement without contradicting themselves. Skepticism makes it very difficult to live an ordinary life.

10. Existentialism Some philosophies believe that the issue of ultimate existence is irrelevant; what really matters, and is much more interesting, is what each person believes exists, and how those beliefs affect his or her personal life. Subjective Reality

11. Existentialism This philosphy is not too interested in systematic and abstract schools of philosophy. Existentialism is primarily focused on the individual’s real and messy struggle to find personal meaning in a largely chaotic and absurd world. People: Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simon de Beauvoir, Friedrich Nietzsche, Franz Kafka

12. Existentialism

13. The Challenge to Existentialism If everyone is able to define their own reality, social order and social security would be impossible.

14. So, is Existence or Reality… Only Physical Matter? (Materialism) All Mental Constructs? (Idealism) An Integrated Physical/Mental/Spiritual Whole? (Spiritualism) Unknowable? (Skepticism) Whatever Each Individual Thinks It Is? (Existentialism) Something Else Entirely?