Philosophical inquiry
Understanding Ontology , Epistemology , and Methodology Have you ever wondered how people figure out what’s true, what exists, or how to study something properly? In research, philosophy, and everyday thinking, three big ideas help us answer those questions: ontology, epistemology, and methodology. They sound fancy, but each is easy to grasp with clear examples. This article will explain them in plain language and show how they connect. 1. Ontology — What exists? - What it means : Ontology is about what’s real. It asks questions like “What kinds of things are there?” and “Do certain things exist independently of our thoughts?” - Everyday example : Think about “teams” at school. Is a team just the people on the roster (something real and separate), or is it something created by agreement and teamwork (something that exists because people act together)? Ontology would examine whether the team is an independent thing or a social idea people create. - Simple contrast : - Rea...