The Term Existence
Terms and definitions are crucial for any topic of discussion.
I contend the terms and definitions presented within this philosophy are more practical and more coherent than standard terms and definitions, specifically the term “existence”.
Standard definitions of existence are convoluted and circular. They provide no means of substantiation.
Existence is commonly defined as:
Existence (noun)
- a : the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence
(Existence. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/existence)
Existence (noun)
- The fact or state of existing; being
(American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition https://www.thefreedictionary.com/existence)
Existence (noun)
- the fact or state of existing; being
(Collins English Dictionary Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition https://www.thefreedictionary.com/existence)
Existence is defined as being.
Being is defined as existence:
Being (noun)
- a : the quality or state of having existence
(Being. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/being)
Being (noun)
- The state or quality of having existence
(American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition https://www.thefreedictionary.com/being)
Being (noun)
- the state or fact of existing; existence
(Collins English Dictionary Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition https://www.thefreedictionary.com/being)
The terms and definitions are circular. Existence is being, being is existence. The terms form a circular loop.
If existence is being, and being existence, what is being or existence? They are undefined.
The philosophy presented, however, precisely defines what existence is:
There is no circular loop. Existence is explicitly defined with a practical, coherent definition.
With the standard terms existence is ambiguous; existence is being which is existence.
With the term provided existence is defined; existence is that which is perceived or interacted with, at least in part.
Not only are the standard terms circular, they also fail to provide any substantiation of existence as the term presented here.
With the definition provided one could point to a tree, or any other item, and easily declare existence. The tree would be perceived or interacted with substantiating it as existence. With the standard definition one would likely be rather perplexed.
The dual-nature definition, involving both perception and interaction, frees the philosophy from a purely biological, conscious perspective of perception.
The philosophy presented not only offers a comprehensive, comprehensible ontology it also offers clearer, more practical and more coherent definitions of key terms as illustrated here.