I would like to explore Duane's question further. (01)
Isn't it safe to say that the English language has multiple definitions
(in many instances) for a given word? In most cases, the proper
definition depends on the context (use) domain. (02)
Isn't it also safe to say that any ontology must select a definition for
a given word and then use it consistently throughout the ontology -
regardless the other possible uses? (03)
It seems to me that an ontology forces users across multiple domains
into a model that they may or may not have selected if given their own
choice or customary use of a definition within their own domain. Doesn't
this create confusion for the people who ultimately build real-world
applications using their own terminology that has been adopted for
many-many years in a given domain. (04)
I would appreciate your responses. (05)
Ron Schuldt
Senior Staff Systems Architect
Lockheed Martin Enterprise Information Systems
11757 W. Ken Caryl Ave.
#F521 Mail Point DC5694
Littleton, CO 80127
303-977-1414
ron.l.schuldt@xxxxxxxx (06)
-----Original Message-----
From: ontolog-forum-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ontolog-forum-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Chris Menzel
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 7:21 PM
To: [ontolog-forum]
Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Re: Semantics (07)
On Mon, May 02, 2005 at 03:56:22PM -0700, Duane Nickull wrote:
> Is it true that a formal ontology is a circular reference pattern,
> albeit a very indirect, complicated and very large one? Does any
> definition assume the knowledge of other axioms in a model, that
> themselves may be dependent upon the definition one is trying to
> clarify? (08)
Well, if a definition of a concept *does* make use of concepts that are
axiomatized in terms of concept being defined, then it is just a bad
definition. There is certainly nothing in the idea of a formal ontology
per se that would somehow make such definitions inevitable. (09)
Chris Menzel (010)
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