Publication Details
Abstract
The article investigates the multifaceted nature of virtuality through synchronic and diachronic approaches. It focuses on the etymology, semantic evolution, and cognitive transformation of the concept of virtuality, starting with its ancient roots in Indo-European languages and tracking its development through philosophical thought, medieval scholasticism, and the emergence of scientific terminology in the Renaissance. By examining key terms such as vrt, virt, virtus, and virtuality, the paper explores how these words evolved from indicating potentiality and possibility to embodying concepts of force, power, and later, virtual reality. The study includes the ideas of notable philosophers like Patanjali, Aristotle, Cicero, Thomas Aquinas, and Galileo, shedding light on the linguistic and conceptual shifts that shaped modern understandings of virtuality. Through this diachronic lens, the article illustrates how the conceptualization of virtuality has been enriched over millennia, culminating in its current scientific and philosophical significance.