The Ontology of the Human Observer

Ontology is the study of being and The Ontology of the Human Observer is a study into what it means to be human through understanding how we combine perception, communication and behaviour¹ as our Way of Being.

Life takes on a different meaning as we learn to observe new aspects of our Way of Being.² The ability to make new meaning from a different set of observation opens up possibility for powerful change.

The Ontology of the Human Observer is a relatively new discipline which is firmly and rigorously grounded. It was founded by Fernando Flores based on his observations and after meeting with Humberto Maturana. The discipline was extended primarily into the domains of emotion and body by Julio Olalla and Rafael Echeverria. The term The Ontology of the Human Observer was coined by Alan Sieler.

Way of Being and learning

• Way of Being
• Way of Being is a core domain of learning
• Way of Being is not the same as behaviour
• Ontological learning
• Ontological shift
• Legitimate other
• Concernful activity
• Making meaning

Ontological domains of learning

• Allies and enemies of learning
• The three ontological domains
• A breakdown is a learning opportunity

Domain of Language

• Basic linguistic acts
• Distinction
• Types of conversation

Ontological coaching

• Ontological coach
• Ontological coaching
• Coaching and mentoring are different
• Ontological coaches are not teachers

Footnotes

1. Sieler (2003), Coaching to the Human Soul (Volume I) > Chapter 1 - An Ontological Approach to Coaching ↩

2. Sieler (2003), Coaching to the Human Soul (Volume I) > Chapter 2 - An Ontological Model of Learning and Change ↩