Based on the view of Ontologist Takashi Yagisawa, reality is a fundamental characteristic that applies equally to all entities, while existence is a relative term that connects an entity to the specific world or context it inhabits.
Understanding the Concepts
In philosophy, particularly in the field of ontology (the study of being), the terms "reality" and "existence" are often discussed and sometimes used interchangeably, but they can also carry distinct meanings depending on the philosophical framework. One notable perspective on this distinction comes from contemporary ontologist Takashi Yagisawa.
Takashi Yagisawa's Perspective
According to Ontologist Takashi Yagisawa, there is a clear difference between these two concepts. He sees "reality" as the more-fundamental term because it equally characterizes all entities. This means that anything that can be considered an entity, regardless of its state or location, possesses reality simply by being something.
In contrast, Yagisawa defines existence as a relative term that connects an entity to the world it inhabits. This suggests that an entity's existence is dependent on the specific framework, context, or "world" it belongs to. An entity might be considered real in a fundamental sense, but its existence is tied to a particular domain.
Key Distinctions
Here is a simplified comparison of the terms based on Yagisawa's view:
| Concept | Role | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Reality | Fundamental characteristic of all entities | Universal (applies equally) |
| Existence | Connects an entity to its world | Relative (context-dependent) |
Illustrative Analogy
Consider the difference between a character in a fictional book and a person walking down the street.
- Both the fictional character and the real person are, in a fundamental sense, real entities in that they are distinct items of thought or discussion. They possess reality by simply being conceptualized or existing.
- However, their existence differs. The person exists in our physical world, while the fictional character exists within the world of the story. The character does not exist in our world, and the person does not exist within the story's narrative framework.
In this analogy (simplifying Yagisawa's technical view), reality is the general property of being an entity, while existence is the specific relationship an entity has to a particular "world" or domain.
Why This Distinction Matters
This distinction is significant in ontology because it helps philosophers analyze the nature of being in different contexts. It allows for discussions about entities that might not exist in the same way (e.g., abstract concepts, possible worlds, fictional entities) while still acknowledging their fundamental "reality" as distinct items of consideration.
