E.A. Yankovskaya - Ph.D. (Philos.), Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences and Technologies, National University of Science and Technology «MISIS». E-mail: altertum@gmail.com

From a methodological point of view a certain sub-ontological structure is the basis of any particular area of scientific research. Such sub-structure is implicit, it includes a system of self-evident to the researcher ideas about causality, connections of whole and part, properties of objects etc. Explication of this sub-structure is the basis for constructing a meta-ontological models applicable in various subject areas. There are several approaches to constructing meta-ontological systems: conceptual, logical- formal, system etc. We can regard any meta-ontology as a general model that considers relation of available parameters, structure and operation within particular kind of systems. Applying meta-ontology to a specific domain we construct the ontology of this domain. Ontology of living systems can be considered as one of the regional ontologies. This ontology requires some fundamental assumptions which are methodological basis of empirical research. Based on the different approaches to the study of living systems we formulate some guidelines for the construction of the ontology of living systems. First, such an ontology should avoid the extremes of reductionism which reduces the specificity of a particular living only to the physical processes. Secondly, the ontology of biological systems is a temporal ontology of processes rather than ontology of substances. For example, biological taxonomy faces with some difficulties with the classification of living organisms if they are considered as static structures. Evolutionary variability of living systems suggests the dynamic nature of their research. Thirdly, there are complex interactions within living systems so an ontology of living systems should be holistic. Many recent studies in the field of living systems partially satisfy these ontological requirements. Various ontological models of living systems are proposed. One of the most famous is the fractal approach to the meta description of biological structures. Another kind of such approach is heterarchical model There are two basic characters of heterarchical systems: heterogeneity while maintaining the overall integrity and dynamism while maintaining stability. Heterogeneity of heterarchical decentralized system is provided by temporarily centralized structure, recursive elements and flexibility levels. Dynamism of heterarchical system is provided by iterative, the balance of positive and negative feedbacks, the probabilistic nature of the system. The application of this ontology model let us to understand the principles of functioning of viable systems. Viability of the system requires the ability to perform appropriate actions in the changing context and maintain its own identity. Different modes of action selected system are not equivalent: some are more and others less appropriate. The complexity of selecting the relevant mode of action is related to the fact that the system has to operate in an environment that has an increased complexity. Accordingly the systems should reduce their own actions in this challenging environment for maximum efficiency , reduce the complexity of the environment to operationally acceptable level. Heterarchical ontology of viable systems shows that such a system must comply with the principle of requisite variety and have sufficient dynamics to respond to changing conditions.