Final answer:
The user is seeking philosophical references on ontology with a specific focus on temporal problems, indicating an interest in metaphysics. The requested references, such as Oaklander's and Berto and Plebani's books, address central metaphysical questions related to being, existence, and reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The user is looking for references on ontology, specifically ones that tackle temporal problems within the field of philosophy. The Ontology of Time by L. Nathan Oaklander and Ontology and Metaontology by Berto and Plebani are examples of works in this area that the user is considering or has recommended, which suggests a focus on issues such as the nature of being, existence, and reality—central questions of metaphysics.
Oaklander's book would be an examination of time from an ontological perspective, asking questions like 'How is time real?' or 'Is time a fundamental feature of the universe?' Berto and Plebani's work would present a broader perspective on general ontology, discussing the foundational categories of existence and their relationships. References in these areas often explore questions of existence, being, space, time, causation, and values, as they are fundamental to metaphysics. Additionally, these resources are connected to issues of metaphysics and philosophy as they relate to logic and epistemology, which were also part of the philosophical inquiries noted by the user.