John,
Just to reply to one question, which will suggest the replies to the
other issues: (01)
[JS]
>> How many times do we have to keep repeating the obvious? (02)
In the present case, it seems that you will consider it necessary
when you choose to misinterpret my comments. (03)
Pat (04)
-----Original Message-----
From: John F. Sowa [mailto:sowa@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 4:49 PM
To: Cassidy, Patrick J.
Cc: [ontolog-forum]
Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Model or Reality (05)
Pat, (06)
We've gone over this issue again and again over the past
many years: (07)
PC> The issue is whether we can have a single self-consistent
> foundation ontology that can be used to define all other
> ontologies. (08)
And we've always come back to exactly the same answer: (09)
1. Yes, it is possible to have a large umbrella ontology,
*provided that* it has very few detailed axioms. (010)
2. But all detailed axioms must be put into the special
purpose theories that enable detailed reasoning for
specialized applications. (011)
PC> I do not have any concern with contradictory models used
> in scientific theories, because as you note, we all know
> that these are approximations... (012)
Every accepted theory in science is an *approximation* --
that is the fundamental principle of science -- everything
that we think we know is potentially falsifiable. (013)
PC> ... theories useful in particular circumstances, not as
> the **final and only** model of reality. (014)
Please write the following statement on the blackboard (or
the whiteboard) one thousand times: (015)
There is not and never will be a final and only model of reality. (016)
How many times do we have to keep repeating the obvious? (017)
John (018)
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