General Philosophy : Metaphysics and Ontology

Metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality or what sorts of things are real; it also seeks basic criteria or first principles for determining what sorts of things are real. It can address such topics as space and time, determinism and free will, God, mind and matter, identity and change, and more. Questions can range from "Why do I exist?" and "What is the meaning of life?" to "Does the world exist outside of the mind?"

Ontology concerns itself with what exists, and can range from asking what does it mean for a thing to exist, to asking "what exists," to seeking to identify and establish relationships between existent things. However, questions about ontology can lead to questions about those questions, becoming metaontology, or a study of the study of what there is.

One Nifty Web Resource

The Essays & Exchanges section contains conversations on topics ranging from religious freedom to curses and maledictions; Here & There presents concise snapshots of current big ideas and events; and the Off the Cuff section poses questions to a handful of leading thinkers and scholars, inviting their succinct responses.

Sample Subject Headings for Metaphysics and Ontology

• Metaphysics
• Ontology

Selected Introductions and Reference Sources for Metaphysics and Ontology

A Companion to Metaphysics. 2nd ed. (2009), online resource.
1995 edition available in print:
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
BD111 C626 1995

Handbook of Metaphysics and Ontology (2 vols.)
Memorial Library Reference Stacks (2 South)
BD111 H225 1991
Non-Circulating

Metaphysics Peter van Inwagen, 2nd ed. (2002)
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
BD111 V38 2002

Metaphysics: A Guide and Anthology
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
BD111 M48 2004

Metaphysics and Epistemology: A Guided Anthology
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
BD95 M47 2014

Metaphysics: Contemporary Readings
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
BD111 M553 2001

Metaphysics: The Key Concepts
College Library Main Collection (1st Floor West, Room 1191)
BD111 B33 2011

Riddles of Existence: A Guided Tour of Metaphysics
Memorial Library Stacks Regular Size Shelving
BD111 C6263 2014

Theory and History of Ontology
A Web site by Raul Corazzon: "An important feature of this site will be the bibliographies about the history of ontology, selected authors and ontological topics that have not yet been covered in such detail."

Link: Metaphysics at PhilPapers
Link: Ontology at PhilPapers
Link: Wikipedia List of Metaphysicians