Will a predicate C be able to link two nodes A and B that may themselves be predicates?
It seems like this would be another useful side-effect of making predicates first-class citizens...
> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 09:20:31 -0700
> From: jackpark@xxxxxxxxx
> To: ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Requesting Opinions on the Benefits of Predicates as Nodes
>
> I see an additional benefit, but not necessarily affiliated with the
> way you describe an 'implicit node' -- where a predicate appears,
> still, to be a second-class citizen in the graph.
>
> Let me explain.
>
> Mostly, it would seem that a predicate in a triple performs the task
> of linking subject and object; it has no other reason for being there
> other than to complete the assertion, e.g. A relates to B.
>
> But, consider this: if a specific *instance* of a predicate exists as
> a connective between two objects, then it can be said to carry the
> full semantics of the assertion itself. The instance is not an
> 'implicit' node: it is a vertex like any other in a graph.
>
> If I say: A cause B, then the node which is the 'cause' predicate can
> carry the full semantics of the triple itself. It's not just your
> father's predicate anymore; it's a first class citizen.
>
> Why do I care?
>
> Consider that said predicate has entails a possibly complex biography.
> Who discovered it? What evidence supports it? What debates are in play
> about it?
>
> I can't assign or otherwise link that biography to either A or B, but
> only to the specific predicate that ties them together.
>
> If I might add, I will assert that predicates as first class citizens
> is perhaps the only difference between an RDF graph and a topic map.
> I've built topic maps with RDF using the BigData RDF store; they work
> just fine, can import and export from, e.g. OWL documents, but with a
> loss of information when the topic map becomes OWL.
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2014 at 8:59 AM, Frank Guerino <Frank.Guerino@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Hi All,
> >
> > For a number of years, we've been working with Data Driven Synthesis as a
> > means of rapidly generating Data Networks/Graphs and the Knowledge
> > Constructs (e.g. Library Catalogs, Indexes, Taxonomies, Visualizations,
> > etc.) that help humans make easier & better sense of them (If interested,
> > see NOUNZ). Like many other Graph representations, we use "triples" or
> > "triplets" to help represent Semantic Relationships, where descriptive
> > Predicates are used as the binding between Subject Nodes and Object Nodes.
> >
> > To date, we've only treated Subjects and Objects as "Nodes" but we've always
> > known that we can (and have planned to) implement and treat Predicates as a
> > special type of "implicit" Node, as well. (Time didn’t' allow us to get to
> > doing so, until now.) We believe that doing so grants users of Graphs
> > certain benefits. We've identified three (3)…
> >
> > #1: The first and obvious advantage is that users can now enter a Graph from
> > any Edge/Predicate as easily as they can enter from any Node, and start to
> > traverse the Graph based on that point of entry.
> >
> > #2: The second advantage of treating Predicates as Nodes is that a Predicate
> > can now be used as an "Index" or "Pointer" that allows users to quickly find
> > all Nodes which are tied to said Predicate (or any Predicates that match
> > certain traits). In other words, it's a way of asking the Graph to quickly
> > identify all Nodes that are connected to a specific Edge/Link/Predicate (or
> > any of a common set of Predicate traits). This means that, in addition to
> > being able to ask "Node-oriented" questions of the Graph, you can now also
> > ask "Predicate/Edge-oriented" questions of the Graph, as well. This leads
> > to even more complex scenarios of being able to ask questions of, both,
> > Nodes and Edges.
> >
> > #3: The third advantage (based on the second) is that traversal of a Graph
> > can be even quicker, leading to even shorter paths, because instead of only
> > traversing a Graph from Node-to-Node-to-Node, through Nodes, users can now
> > traverse from any Edge/Predicate to any other Edge/Predicate, through
> > Edges/Predicates.
> >
> > My question to the Community: Aside from the above three, do you see any
> > other benefits that we're missing?
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > My Best,
> >
> > Frank
> > --
> > Frank Guerino, Chairman
> > The International Foundation for Information Technology (IF4IT)
> > http://www.if4it.com
> > 1.908.294.5191 (M)
> >
> >
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