Sinn und Existenz: Eine realistische Ontologie

by Markus Gabriel

Die neuzeitliche Ontologie nimmt seit Kant und Frege an, Existenz sei keine (gewöhnliche) Eigenschaft. Damit wird die alte Frage nach dem Sinn von Sein in einem veränderten Rahmen neu formuliert. Allerdings wird dabei vorausgesetzt, die Bedeutung von »Existenz« ließe sich ohne Rekurs auf Sinnkategorien verständlich machen, gleichzeitig wird Existenz an logische Funktionen wie den Existenzquantor oder den Mengenbegriff zurückgebunden. Gegen diese Annahmen vertritt Markus Gabriel in seinem originellen neuen Buch eine Ontologie der Sinnfelder: Zu existieren heißt, in einem Sinnfeld zu erscheinen. Überraschenderweise spricht laut Gabriel genau dies für einen neuen Realismus in der Ontologie.

Genres: Philosophy, Metaphysics, Nonfiction

507 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Markus Gabriel was born in 1980 and studied in Heidelberg, Lisbon and New York. Since 2009 he has held the chair for Epistemology at the University of Bonn; and with this appointment he became Germany's youngest philosophy professor. He is also the director of the International Center for Philosophy in Bonn.

Reviews

[Casey Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing can exist without first being placed in some larger order meaning or context. As such, Markus Gabriel's "Fields of Sense" is like taking a philosophical joyride through the landscapes of meaning and reality. If you're into deep dives into language, perception, and how we make sense of the world, this book is a thought-provoking journey worth embarking on.

Gabriel dives into the complexities of how we create and interpret meaning, weaving together philosophy, linguistics, and psychology into a rich tapestry of ideas. He challenges traditional notions about truth and reality, arguing that our understanding of the world is intricately tied to the frameworks of language and perception that we use.

What's really fascinating is Gabriel's ability to blend deep philosophical concepts with everyday examples. He shows how language shapes our reality—from the way we describe objects to the metaphors we use to understand complex ideas. It's like peeking behind the curtain to see how our words shape our understanding of the world.

Gabriel doesn't shy away from tackling big questions, either. Whether he's discussing the nature of consciousness, the limits of human knowledge, or the role of technology in shaping our perceptions, he invites readers to question assumptions and explore new ways of thinking.

But be warned: this isn't a breezy beach read. Gabriel's ideas can be dense at times, and you might find yourself pausing to unpack his arguments or re-read a passage to fully grasp the nuances. Yet, that's part of the fun—the challenge of wrestling with profound ideas about existence and meaning.

"Fields of Sense" puts forward a completely novel pluralistic ontology. It is a stimulating exploration of how language and perception shape our understanding of reality. Whether you're a philosophy enthusiast or simply curious about the power of words, Gabriel's insights will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human thought and the endless possibilities of philosophical inquiry.