Uno strano pluralista. Sulla “metaontologia” di Étienne Souriau

Abstract

The debate on ontology, the nature of being, and its modalities has always been marked by fierce opposition. Since the dawn of philosophical thought, monists and pluralists have clashed – those advocating for the univocity of being and those supporting the plurality of entities or modes of existence. Thus, it is not surprising that Etienne Souriau’s attempt in 1943 with The Different Modes of Existence has enjoyed a certain resurgence in recent years, aided by Bruno Latour’s revival of his work, so that the ontological question regarding the plurality of modes of existence has once again become central to international debate. Given these circumstances, this contribution conducts a deeper analysis of Souriau’s thought iuxta propria principia, examining his theory from within in order to propose some possible frameworks of intelligibility. After presenting the general structure of the system, it focuses on the gaps and inconsistencies in Souriau’s position, viewing them as opportunities for new, more coherent explorations, particularly in light of the changes that have occurred in the contemporary world.