"In metaphysics, ontology is the philosophical study of being."
This ontology provides a framework for understanding reality, at the most fundamental level, using concepts such as substance, quality, and event.
"It investigates what types of entities exist, how they are grouped into categories, and how they are related to one another on the most fundamental level."
"Commonly proposed categories include substances, properties, relations, states of affairs, and events."
"These categories are characterized by fundamental ontological concepts, including particularity and universality, abstractness and concreteness, or possibility and necessity."
"Of special interest is the concept of ontological dependence, which determines whether the entities of a category exist on the most fundamental level."
"Disagreements within ontology are often about whether entities belonging to a certain category exist and, if so, how they are related to other entities."
"When used as a countable noun, the words ontology and ontologies refer not to the science of being but to theories within the science of being."
"Ontological theories can be divided into various types according to their theoretical commitments."
"Monocategorical ontologies hold that there is only one basic category."
"Polycategorical ontologies rejected this view."
"Hierarchical ontologies assert that some entities exist on a more fundamental level and that other entities depend on them."
"Flat ontologies, on the other hand, deny such a privileged status to any entity." Note: For questions 13 to 20, there are no specific quotes in the paragraph that directly provide answers. Therefore, I will provide additional information beyond the paragraph to generate questions and answers.
"The purpose of studying ontology in metaphysics is to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of existence, the categorization of entities, and their interrelationships."
"Ontologists determine the highest kinds or categories by analyzing the fundamental nature of entities and the ways they can be classified."
"Particularity refers to the unique individuality of entities, while universality refers to shared characteristics or properties across multiple entities."
"The distinction between abstractness and concreteness helps classify entities based on whether they are tangible and physical or conceptual and non-physical."
"Possibility and necessity play a role in understanding whether entities could exist or must exist based on their essential properties or conditions."
"Ontological dependence determines whether entities exist independently or rely on other entities for their existence."
"Polycategorical ontologies propose multiple basic categories, while monocategorical ontologies believe in a single basic category."
"Flat ontologies reject the idea of certain entities being more fundamental than others, promoting equality and denying privileged status."