Ontology

Ontology Definition

Ontology is the branch of philosophy and metaphysics concerned with the fundamental nature of existence, investigating what kinds of entities can exist and the relations between them. It involves making assumptions—whether explicit or implicit—about the kinds of things that constitute reality within a given domain. In sociology, ontological concerns typically focus on the properties of social life, such as people, institutions, languages, and technologies, rather than abstract metaphysical questions about existence itself.

Philosophical Roots and Assumptions

Ontological assumptions are the foundational beliefs underpinning theories about what entities can exist. Examples of philosophical ontological theory include Plato’s theory of ‘forms’ and scientific realism. While metaphysics seeks to provide an ontology of the world as a whole, sociological ontologies tend to be more loosely structured and do not necessarily concern themselves with abstract concepts of ‘being’ in the same hierarchical manner.

Ontology in Sociology

In sociology, ontology responds to generic (transhistorical and transcultural) questions about social life. While ontological issues are fundamental to all disciplinary concerns, they are generally less extensive than those in broader philosophy. Sociological ontologies can encompass various elements depending on the theoretical framework, such as social action, social structures, norms, practices, and roles. Examples of sociological ontologies include structuration theory, which posits structured social practices as the basic constituents of social reality, and the materialist ontology found in Karl Marx’s work or Durkheim’s conception of ‘social facts’.

Historical Context and Significance

Historically, debate regarding ontological matters has been central to sociology since Comte, helping to clarify the nature of ‘social kinds’ like social action and structures. Although philosophy informs these discussions, it is no longer considered the final arbiter. The term ontology gained significant traction in sociological theory following the decline of positivism in the 1970s, allowing ontological issues a legitimate place within post-Kuhnian sociological inquiry.