Final answer:
Ontology is the study of being or existence, addressing broad metaphysical questions about what it means for something to exist, stretching beyond physicalism to include various forms of being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of ontology is the study of being or existence. It is a central branch of metaphysics, the philosophical inquiry into the fundamental nature of reality. Ontology seeks to understand what it means for something to be, to exist in the broadest sense. This includes examining various categories of being and existence, such as physical, mental, abstract, and potentially supernatural phenomena.
In the domain of metaphysics, ontology addresses questions like 'What qualifies as being?' and 'How should we categorize being?'. This goes beyond a purely material or physical outlook, known as physicalism, which aligns the real world with the physical world. Ontology explores the nature of existence in a broader sense, including the existence and nature of God, mind, space, time, and even the nature of values and the ethical structures we live by.
Oftentimes, cultural perspectives play a significant role in how existence is conceived. Anthropological studies on ontology, known as ontological anthropology, focus on how various cultures construct their social and natural realities, stretching beyond human-centered views to include nonhuman perspectives, relationships, and forms of communication.