Ontology
Definition
Ontology is the part of metaphysics about what exists and what kinds of things there are.
On this site
Whether the beings in a scenario exist is an ontological question. The computing figure takes no side on it.
Role in the model
The computing figure takes no side on whether the inhabitants of a scenario exist. It measures the computation and stops there. Whether a perfectly simulated person is a person is an ontological question. The sandbox only helps by showing what the simulation takes.
Related
14 short pages, one per thinker, each with its matching dial. See also the reading list.