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The Chirality of Being: Exploring a Merleau-Ponteian Ontology of Sense

Title:

The Chirality of Being: Exploring a Merleau-Ponteian Ontology of Sense

Morris, David (2011) The Chirality of Being: Exploring a Merleau-Ponteian Ontology of Sense. Chiasmi International: Trilingual Studies Concerning Merleau-Ponty’s Thought, 12 . pp. 165-182.

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Official URL: http://philosophy.la.psu.edu/journals/Chiasmi_Inte...

Abstract

The problem of ontology includes the problem of how being is determinate and has sense, i.e., orientations, meanings, differences that make a difference. This paper explores the thought that being’s sense stems from an ‘ontological chirality,’ a kind of ontological difference with characteristics kin to differences between left and right hands. The paper first shows how Merleau-Ponty’s ontology of reversibility leads to issues of chirality. Results in chemistry, biology and geometry are then discussed to illuminate the importance of chiral differences and to develop a definition of ontological chirality that connects with an ontology of sense. The problem of ontology includes the problem of how being is determinate and has sense, i.e., orientations, meanings, differences that make a difference. This paper explores the thought that being’s sense stems from an ‘ontological chirality,’ a kind of ontological difference with characteristics kin to differences between left and right hands. The paper first shows how Merleau-Ponty’s ontology of reversibility leads to issues of chirality. Results in chemistry, biology and geometry are then discussed to illuminate the importance of chiral differences and to develop a definition of ontological chirality that connects with an ontology of sense.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Philosophy
Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Authors:Morris, David
Journal or Publication:Chiasmi International: Trilingual Studies Concerning Merleau-Ponty’s Thought
Date:2011
ID Code:7639
Deposited By: David Morris
Deposited On:28 Jun 2011 14:17
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:31
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