Existence

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on·tol'o·gy (on tólogee) n. : the branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature of existence.  Metaphysics is customarily divided into ontology, which deals with the question of how many fundamentally distinct sorts of entities compose the universe, and metaphysics proper, which is concerned with describing the most general traits of reality.

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     If there were nothing existing in the Universe, the Universe would not exist.  Nothing but a void is less than nothing.  It does not exist.  The void does not exist without something that is not part of the void existing.  Imagine a Universe consisting of a sphere surrounded by the Void.  This Universe would exist.  It is comprised of the Void and of the sphere.  The most simple form of existence is that of two items.  One item cannot exist alone.  If everything is one thing, then there is no existence.  Many people have heard scientists and mathematicians speak of a "naked singularity".  When mathematical descriptions result in the existence of only a single item, it is a rift in logic and normally implies falsehood in concept or theory.
    Existence is axiomatic.  We are all aware of our existence.  Existence is the primary basis for all thought.  It can neither be proven nor denied.  Hence, existence is axiomatic.  To question it would be as silly as asking, "what is is", or trying to explain, "what is is".  Identity is considered by many to be a corollary of existence, but identity is more than a corollary of existence.  Since existence of only one item cannot occur; identity is implicit in existence, and identity is therefore axiomatic and concurrent with existence.  The reason there must be at least two items, for existence to exist, is identity.  Two items must exist for existence to exist, because of the nature of existence or identity.  There are two types of identity; inclusive and exclusive.  In the previous hypothetical Universe, the sphere has an inclusive identity whereas the Void has an exclusive identity.  The sphere is well defined and limited.  The Void is defined as everything not the sphere.  It is limitless, infinite, and defined only by reference to the sphere.  The Void only exists in relation to the sphere.  This then is the disjunctive requirement of existence.
    The most important knowledge that one can own is that existence exists, and is created by the dichotomy of inclusive and exclusive identity.  The nature of this dichotomy becomes very important to Mankind as he grapples with reality.  Here are very important conceptual antipodes that are examples of inclusive and exclusive identity:

     The corollary to identity is "characteristic".  An item either has a characteristic (inclusive identity), or it lacks a characteristic (exclusive identity).  Characteristics are, by definition, well defined.  Characteristics are definition.  When we are without words for definition, other than the words themselves; we are at the base of reason and conceptualization.  Words have meaning beyond that normally considered.  To describe the nature of words and language, we must look into the mind of man and consider the nature of conceptualization and consciousness.

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