Existensen

Existensen is a term used in speculative ontology to denote the spectrum of ways in which something can be said to exist. Unlike standard usage of existence as a single status, existensen aims to distinguish multiple ontological modes across domains such as the physical, the abstract, and the fictional. The term is not universally standardized in mainstream philosophy, but it appears in discussions that seek finer-grained accounts of being and presence.

Classification and scope

Proponents describe several modes of existensen. Actual existence refers to the being of physical objects in the material world. Potential existence covers the capacity for something to be realized in the future. Conceptual existence treats existence as a property of thoughts, propositions, or linguistic structures. Modal or possible existence denotes truth in some possible worlds. Abstract existence covers numbers, sets, and other non-spatial entities. Fictional existence concerns characters and places that exist within narratives but not in reality. Digital or virtual existence refers to data, programs, and entities that inhabit information systems and networks.

Theoretical significance

Supporters argue that existensen helps clarify debates about why some entities seem to require different ontological commitments across domains. It provides a framework for comparing existence as a relation or status that varies by context, rather than treating existence as a uniform category. Critics warn that multiplying modes of existence can introduce ambiguity and may obscure rather than illuminate fundamental questions about what it means for something to be.

Applications and related topics

Existensen is discussed in debates on ontology, philosophy of mathematics, and the ontology of information and artificial intelligence. Related topics include the nature of existence, modality, fictional realism, and digital ontology.