Definition
Ontology by usefulness judges existence claims by whether a concept identifies a robust pattern within a domain of applicability. Something can be real without being fundamental.
Why It Matters
The debate over “what is real” often leads to academic paralysis. “Ontology by Usefulness” provides a pragmatic “Scalpel” for cutting through metaphysical noise. It allows us to treat things like “The Economy,” “The Self,” or “Consciousness” as real entities because they allow us to predict and explain the world effectively. It prevents the “Reductionist Trap” where people claim “nothing matters because it’s all just atoms.” By valuing patterns over fundamental particles, we can build more robust models of the complex, emergent world we actually live in.
Core Concepts
- Existence is not restricted to elementary particles.
- Illusions fail because they do not support stable explanatory patterns.
- Emergent entities are real when they earn their place in successful descriptions.
- Vocabularies are evaluated by usefulness and fit, not metaphysical prestige.