Hui’s On the Existence of Digital Objects develops a philosophy of digital objects adequate to networked technical systems, ontologies, metadata and computational relations. Its iconic idea is that digital objects are neither immaterial abstractions nor simple technical files; they are constituted through relations, data structures, standards, protocols, temporal operations and technical milieus. The theoretical contribution is to place digital objects within a dialogue between phenomenology, object theory, computation, ontology, cybernetics and continental philosophy, extending the question of individuation into the digital domain. Methodologically, Hui proceeds through philosophical reconstruction, moving from the genesis of digital objects to their ontologies, networks, technical time and logical conditions. Its conceptual operation is relational individuation: a digital entity exists through its structured relations and operational capacities rather than through isolated substance. The bridge to the wider field connects media theory, software studies, STS, digital humanities, philosophy of technology and information infrastructure.
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