Metaphysical Parasite
Monsters born from broken minds that feed on regret to survive.
In ontology, a parasite is something which exists only in reference to something else. That is, it is a thing which can only exist as a feature, quality, or absence of another thing. A common example of an ontological parasite is a hole, which is described as "always in something else and cannot exist in isolation" as well as "immaterial: every hole has a material 'host' (the stuff around it, such as the edible part of a donut) and it may have a material 'guest' (such as the liquid filling a cavity), but it does not itself seem to be made of matter".
- Nature
- Psychological manifestation
- Source
- Human emotional trauma or cognitive dissonance
- Primary Target
- Individuals with unresolved mental issues
- Resolution Method
- Dialogue, confrontation, and psychological acceptance
- Affiliation
- The world of oddities (non-aligned)
- Status
- Active throughout the series timeline
Lore & Background
There is some inconsistency regarding what constitutes an ontological parasite. This inconsistency concerns whether something can be said to only exist as an aspect of its host. More debated examples in the list below include color and shape: A hole, A boundary: "Most realist theories about boundaries, construed as lower-dimensional entities, share the view that such entities are ontological parasites: points, lines, and surfaces cannot be separated and cannot exist in isolation from the entities they bound", Color*, Shape*, Cave. *Some philosophers consider all properties of / relations between things (such as shape and color) as ontologically parasitic.
In Their Own Story
The concept of ontological parasites presents a number of philosophical theories and thought-experiments about the "existence" of the parasite itself, such as the perceptions of the absence of something (such as a hole) as itself a thing, and the categorization of parasites as having lower ontological dimension than their hosts.
Reader's Guide
The concept of ontological parasites presents a number of philosophical theories and thought-experiments about the "existence" of the parasite itself, such as the perceptions of the absence of something (such as a hole) as itself a thing, and the categorization of parasites as having lower ontological dimension than their hosts.
Did You Know?
- A hole is described as "always in something else and cannot exist in isolation".
- A hole is "immaterial: every hole has a material 'host' (the stuff around it, such as the edible part of a donut) and it may have a material 'guest' (such as the liquid filling a cavity), but it does not itself seem to be made of matter".
- Boundaries are considered ontological parasites because "points, lines, and surfaces cannot be separated and cannot exist in isolation from the entities they bound".
- Some philosophers consider all properties of / relations between things (such as shape and color) as ontologically parasitic.
- The categorization of parasites includes having "lower ontological dimension than their hosts".
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Metaphysical Parasite in the Monogatari Series?
It is an ontological oddity that exists solely as a feature or absence within another entity, much like a hole depends on the material surrounding it. These creatures are psychological manifestations born from human emotional trauma and cognitive dissonance rather than physical matter.
How do Metaphysical Parasites function and what powers do they have?
They feed on the regret of their hosts to survive, targeting individuals who suffer from unresolved mental issues or broken minds. Their existence is entirely dependent on referencing a host's psychological state, making them unable to exist in isolation.
How are Metaphysical Parasites typically defeated or resolved?
Unlike physical monsters, they cannot be killed by force; instead, they are dispelled through intense dialogue and the confrontation of the truth. The resolution requires the host to achieve psychological acceptance of their trauma, which dissolves the parasite's reason for existing.
What is the origin story behind these specific oddities?
They serve as narrative vehicles to explore deep psychological themes, forcing characters to face the aspects of themselves they have denied.
Are Metaphysical Parasites aligned with any specific group in the series?
No, they are non-aligned entities that belong to the broader world of oddities rather than serving a specific faction. They remain active throughout the series timeline whenever a suitable host develops the necessary mental instability to birth them.
More in Mythology & Themes
Elsewhere in the Monogatari Series universe
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