Ontos is Greek for existence: “to be.”
I didn’t want to limit the ontograph to perception, because an ontograph includes things that may not be perceived or understood in the moment. I didn’t want to confuse it with a biography, because a biography typically includes only those events and experiences that are relatable to others. I wanted to use the term Ontos because it encompasses a person’s entire existence. It also has a history in philosophy such as ontology, which is closely related to the project of exploring the ontograph.
Graph is Greek for recording: “to write.”
A record of geography is called a map or cartograph. As one makes decisions about what to do in pursuit of goals, one navigates a landscape much larger than geography–it is geography multiplied by dimensions of feelings, thoughts, intentions, and more. But our behavior still feels like moving on a map to some degree, so I chose that etymology.
I considered “ontogram” but there is already an object called an ontogram. I see it also referred to as an ontograph. I feel like it’s taking up one too many go-karts on this philosophical joyride, so let us grab the “-graph” term for this project because the ontograph behaves more like a cartograph, and the ontogram behaves more like a diagram. Those two familiar terms have enough established nuance in English that I’m happy to let them sit. I hope that’s agreeable to the esteemed developers of the ontogram.
I would be fascinated to hear any thoughts about this word choice. There may be an even better term approachable by Latin, German, or other means. Please let me know.