Ed: "What makes written knowledge an "ontology" is that the language has a
grammar and an interpretation of the grammatical constructs that is suitable
for automated reasoning."
CM: "what makes written knowledge an ontology is that it is expressed in a
logic (i.e., a formal language + model theory) with a complete proof
theory."
JS: "the field of ontology is devoted to the study, analysis, and
specification of the kinds of entities that exist, did exist, or may exist."
Meshing them up, a working definition may appear:
Ontology is "devoted to the study, analysis, and specification of the kinds
of entities and relationships, expressed as the formal symbolism (language)
suitable for machine reasoning".
----- Original Message -----
From: "John F. Sowa" <sowa@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "[ontolog-forum]" <ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Just What Is an Ontology, Anyway? (01)
> Ed, Adrian, and Chris,
>
> I agree that is a necessary condition:
>
> EB> What makes written knowledge an "ontology" is that the language
> > has a grammar and an interpretation of the grammatical constructs
> > that is suitable for automated reasoning.
>
> But there are many kinds of knowledge that would not qualify as
> an ontology. A database full of low-level facts is suitable
> for automated reasoning, but it is not an ontology. The
> knowledge of how to ride a bicycle is not an ontology,
> even if it were translated to a form that could be used
> for some kind of reasoning.
>
> AW> For modern usage, I'd rate Ed Barkmeyer's definition
> > of 'ontology' as the most satisfactory so far.
>
> It would be fine, provided that the kind of knowledge
> needed for an ontology were distinguished from other
> kinds that are not ontologies.
>
> CM> what makes written knowledge an ontology is that it is expressed
> > in a logic (i.e., a formal language + model theory) with a
> > complete proof theory.
>
> That is more precise, but it still requires the criteria that
> distinguish an ontology from other kinds of knowledge.
>
> In order to clarify the issues, I'd like to cite Tom Gruber's
> definition:
>
> "An ontology is the formalization of a conceptualization."
>
> That's a good definition of the conceptual schema work of
> the 1970s. It focuses on how people think and how a database
> (or a knowledge base) can be organized in a way that represents
> what people think or say in a way that a computer can process.
>
> But by definition, the field of ontology is devoted to the
> study, analysis, and specification of the kinds of entities
> that exist, did exist, or may exist. An ontology about
> bicycles would include the fact that they're designed for
> people to ride. But it would not include knowledge or
> conceptualization about specific bicycles or about how
> people learn to ride them.
>
> In short, we should distinguish ontology from knowledge.
> If there is no difference, then I suggest that we drop the
> more esoteric term 'ontology' and use the word 'knowledge'
> or 'conceptualization'. If there is a difference, then
> it should be stated explicitly.
>
> John Sowa
>
>
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