The Ontological Reality of Existence and First Philosophy

The Reality of Existence

The wonder of the reality of existence: this starting point of negation shows that philosophy cannot say anything about God. For ontology, the idea of God is a theory explaining the existence of all reality. This science treats the problem. What is surprising is that there is something; that is the origin of God.

The fact of the question of existence (that there is something rather than nothing) puts us in an ontological dilemma. Reality exists in one of two ways:

• By itself: It is self-sufficient.
• Not by itself: It is not self-sufficient, but depends on another reality that we call God.

It is its principle of existence; from here it can be deduced that all reality is either God or God exists separately from the reality we know. Philosophy cannot go beyond that. From reality, one can assert the need to admit an existence that asserts itself; it cannot derive from nothing. But as for what this reality is, little or nothing can be said. Natural theology must be very humble before religions.

First Philosophy and Ontological Issues

We treat the three major issues of ontology. Aristotle called ontology "First Philosophy" because it had to study the fundamental principles of all reality. Throughout history, this "First Philosophy" has focused on real beings, consciousness, and God.

Philosophical Perspectives on Reality

• Realistic Philosophers: For realists, real beings given in sensible experience are the starting point to ascertain our whole.
• Idealist Philosophers: For idealists, the starting point had to be consciousness, as everything we know appears in consciousness (doc7).
• Ontological Philosophers: These philosophers consider that from God alone can we know reality. Some thought that everything was known in God, which was more immediate evidence. They believed the existence of all beings was a participation in God's existence; therefore, God is present in the knowledge of all things (doc8).

Justifying the Starting Point

According to the chosen viewpoint, the description of reality will be distinct. Our practical, everyday relationship is given with real beings. When we explain the genealogy of our knowledge, consciousness is assumed. Both are sufficiently justified starting points. Developing an ontology from a knowledge of God will first require justifying the existence and knowledge of God. This is the position of religious theologies.