OntologySummit2007: Frameworks For Consideration    (T1P)

This is the working page to collect various frameworks we could employ in our endeavor to categorize or type different artifacts people might call "ontologies":    (T1Q)


Ontology Framework Draft    (10CO)

Release by the co-chairs of the OntologySummit2007_Framework_Session, as the strawman for further discussion (online or during the workshop). We are aiming toward arriving at a consensus "framework" through this community process by the conveners of OntologySummit2007. -- (posted by: LeoObrst & MichaelGruninger / 2007.04.19-18:18 EDT)    (10CM)

Ontology Framework Draft Statement    (10CP)

 TomGruber, MichaelGruninger, PatHayes, DeborahMcGuinness, LeoObrst
 4/19/2007    (10CQ)
Summary    (10CR)

This is a starting point for discussion at the Ontolog Summit 2007 (entitled "Ontology, Taxonomy, Folksonomy: Understanding the Distinctions") on a framework for characterizing the space of ontologies. The aim of the framework is to establish a conceptual grounding for the notion of ontology in our field and to identify distinctions and dimensions on which ontologies are alike and differ. The Summit process can use this as an organizing framework in which to place various examples of ontologies, taxonomies, folksonomies, etc., found in the wild.    (10CS)

Principles    (10CT)

Distinctions    (10CY)

Definition    (10D8)

For the purposes of the framework, therefore, we define what we mean by the term "ontology (computer science)". Incorporating the distinctions introduced above, we have adapted the definition of ontology given in a widely cited article in our literature, to this:    (10D9)

An ontology, for computer and information sciences, is a specification of a conceptualization, which is the set of ideas, concepts, relationships, or other abstractions that comprise a domain of modeling or discourse. An ontology defines a representational vocabulary for the conceptualization, and specifies constraints on the meaningful use of this vocabulary, so that facts about the domain can be shared, communicated, and reasoned about.    (10DA)

Kinds of Ontologies    (10DB)

Ontologies can vary on several important dimensions. We propose a set of dimensions that can be used to distinguish among different approaches. There are two kinds of dimensions:    (10DC)

Semantic Dimensions:    (10DF)
Pragmatic Dimensions:    (10DJ)

Positive examples - things that can be ontologies    (10DO)

Near Misses - what might be confused with an ontology    (10DW)

Examples to discuss    (10E1)

- end of draft statement -    (10E6)

Except for the authors (and designated maintainer of this post), please do not modify the draft above statement.    (10E7)

Your comments on the above statement and further suggestions for the 'Framework' are invited. Please post below.    (10E8)

Comments to the above draft    (10EC)

(Please insert your comments below)    (10EE)


Other Input received over the OntologySummit2007 discourse:    (10CN)