ontolog-forum
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [ontolog-forum] Next steps in using ontologies as standards

To: "'[ontolog-forum] '" <ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: "Patrick Cassidy" <pat@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 21:08:23 -0500
Message-id: <038701c97135$fcc1bb50$f64531f0$@com>

Rich,

   Would you consider an ontology built with the set of semantic primitives required to translate data represented by different ontologies into the other representations as being a ‘restricted context’?  If so, I agree with you.  That’s the function (‘domain’) of the FO.

 

Pat

 

Patrick Cassidy

MICRA, Inc.

908-561-3416

cell: 908-565-4053

cassidy@xxxxxxxxx

 

From: ontolog-forum-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ontolog-forum-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rich Cooper
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:04 PM
To: '[ontolog-forum] '
Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Next steps in using ontologies as standards

 

I think the most appropriate conclusion is that ontologies can be quite effectively constructed for restricted contexts, though not for all possible cases in general. 

 

John Sowa wrote:

Just consider one of the simplest equations used in physics:

 

    F=ma

 

On the surface, one might think that the force F is being defined

in terms of the mass m times the acceleration a.  But that is an

illusion.  Exactly the same equation could be written

 

    m=a/F  or  a=m/F

 

In fact, none of the three terms are primitives.  Each of them could

be characterized by the methods used to measure F, m, or a.  But any

of those methods are just useful techniques with a given technology.

 

A case could be made that the set of constrained equations is the set of primitives.  If I only care about the Newtonian models, F=ma is the primitive relationship among force, mass and acceleration.  No matter how I differentiate, integrate or bind variables to constants, F=ma is always in force.  Therefore that constraint is a primitive for Newtonian mechanics.  Ignoring Einstein, I can develop a set of constraints based on Newton's work and call those an ontology for restricted cases. 

 

This approach abdicates a position relating Newtonian mechanics to Einsteinian physics, but it can still be very useful as an ontology for Newtonian applications.  This ontology can only be applied within the context of Newton's laws.  But it is very, very useful in that context. 

 

The point is that ontologies can be quite effectively constructed for restricted contexts, though not for all cases.  So bounding the context is required if we are to make ontologies useful in widespread applications.

 

 

-Rich

 

Sincerely,

Rich Cooper

EnglishLogicKernel.com

Rich AT EnglishLogicKernel DOT com

 


_________________________________________________________________
Message Archives: http://ontolog.cim3.net/forum/ontolog-forum/  
Config Subscr: http://ontolog.cim3.net/mailman/listinfo/ontolog-forum/  
Unsubscribe: mailto:ontolog-forum-leave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shared Files: http://ontolog.cim3.net/file/
Community Wiki: http://ontolog.cim3.net/wiki/ 
To join: http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?WikiHomePage#nid1J
To Post: mailto:ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    (01)

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>