What is process-relational ontology?

Process-relational ontology is a concept where the most fundamental aspect of reality is viewed as processes and the relationships between them, rather than conventional entities or substances like particles. This perspective emerged from the philosophical implications of quantum theory and relativity, which challenged the traditional substance-based ontology rooted in Western philosophy since Plato. The physicist and philosopher Alfred North Whitehead was instrumental in developing this ontology, highlighting that what is ultimately real is the interplay of processes and their interconnections, rather than static entities. This shift to process-relational ontology recognizes that understanding reality requires a focus on dynamics and interactions, an idea supported by recent scientific perspectives as well 1 .