John,
You wrote:
ISO normally uses the OED, but I'll cut & paste definitions
from
the Free MW, which is available online.
Definition of 'ontology' from the Free MW:
1 : a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being
2 : a particular theory about the nature of being or the kinds of things that have existence
Definition #2 is the one we use in this forum. But we need to check
the meaning of 'theory':
1 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2 : abstract thought : speculation
Combining definition #2 of 'ontology' with definition #1 of 'theory':
a particular analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
about the nature of being or the kinds of things that have existence
If this were the definition we use in the Ontolog Forum, I would
unsubscribe immediately.
To specialize this definition for computer applications, delete the
option "the nature of being" and add "in some domain of application":
a particular analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
about the kinds of things that have existence in some domain of application
So now we are not using the dictionary definition, and we are
assigning a very different semantic interpretation to "kinds of
things that have existence".
Note that neither the OED nor Merriam-Webster's nor the long tradition
in philosophy require theories to be stated in formal logic.
So, the idea that "computational ontology" is based on "formal
logic" is not a part of your conceptualization of "computational
ontologies". This is useful to know. It enables me to produce a
useful email filter.
-Ed
--
Edward J. Barkmeyer Email: edbark@xxxxxxxx
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Systems Integration Division, Engineering Laboratory
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8263 Tel: +1 301-975-3528
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8263 Cel: +1 240-672-5800
"The opinions expressed above do not reflect consensus of NIST,
and have not been reviewed by any Government authority."
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