Outline of an Uexküllian bio-ontology
Outline of an Uexküllian bio-ontology

Summary/Abstract: Traditionally, ontology, or at least western ontology, has been an anthropocentric enterprise, that takes only human experiences into account. In this paper I argue that a prolific biocentric ontology can be based on Uexkull's Umwelt theory. Uexkull offers the basis of an ontology according to which the study of experiences is a much wider field than it is as depicted by clas¬sical ontology and contemporary philosophy of consciousness. Based on the thoughts of the contemporary philosopher Thomas Nagel I claim that there might very well be lifeforms that are totally unimaginable to us. I argue that this view is compatible with the Umwelt theory, and that it should be adopted by biosemioticians. Furthermore, I argue that a biosemiotic possibilism should be implemented. Followingly, one should not claim to know which characteristics of living beings are universally and necessarily valid, but restrict oneself to statements about life as we know it.

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