Steve, all (01)
I agree that "quality" should not be a direct goal for an ontology definition.
However, in my opinion classifying ontology definitions should lead to a
methodological principle. For example, suppose we
classify ontologies into three types (Upper-Level <- domain <- application).
One can see from this classification that each
vocabulary in an application ontology should be defined/linked with a
vocabulary in a domain ontology, and each vocabulary in a
domain ontology should be defined/linked with a vocabulary in a foundational
ontology, etc. In this way, we encourage reusability,
improve quality, etc.
In other words, we need more than a "definition" of what an ontology is. This
definition/classification should bring a new thing
to the community, hopefully a methodology that we all can agree on. (02)
In addition, I believe that the specification language (or even the formality
level) of an ontology is irrelevant here. The
important issue, in my opinion, is whether a specification (/ontology) is aimed
with the characterizing the meaning of its
vocabulary. (03)
Things like a data model, XML schema, or a knowledge base (that do not
axiomatize a domain/meaning) will not be called ontology.
For example, do you call the Dublin Core Metadata elements an ontology? I
don't, even the whole words share and use. It is a
meta-model/data schema. (04)
Best Regards,
-Mustafa (05)
============================================
Dr.Mustafa Jarrar
Senior researcher
STARLab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
mjarrar@xxxxxxxxx | mustafa@xxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.starlab.vub.ac.be/staff/mustafa
Tel: +32 2 6293487 , Fax :+32 2 6293819
Mobile: +32 495 687077 Skype:mjarrar
============================================ (06)
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
>Behalf Of Steve Ray
>Sent: 19 January 2007 03:29
>To: 'Ontology Summit 2007 Forum'
>Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Defining "ontology"
>
>I would remind everyone that we are not trying to judge the quality or
>usefulness of the ontology - we're trying to categorize what "kind" of
ontology
>something is. Thus, I would disagree with any of these suggested dimensions.
>
>(Having said that, the NCOR Ontology Evaluation Committee welcomes such
>suggestions)
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
>matthew.west@xxxxxxxxx
>Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 9:24 AM
>To: patrick@xxxxxxxxxxx; ontology-summit@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [ontology-summit] Defining "ontology"
>
>Dear Patrick,
>
>I agree that a simple linear scale is not appropriate. One of the questions I
>have is what other dimensions are there?
>
>How about:
>- number of objects in the ontology
>- number of users of the ontology
>- intended and actual types of usage
>
>as a few that might be relevant.
>
>
>Regards
>
>Matthew West
>Reference Data Architecture and Standards Manager Shell International
Petroleum
>Company Limited Shell Centre, London SE1 7NA, United Kingdom
>
>Tel: +44 20 7934 4490 Mobile: +44 7796 336538
>Email: matthew.west@xxxxxxxxx
>http://www.shell.com
>http://www.matthew-west.org.uk/
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:ontology-summit-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Patrick
>> Durusau
>> Sent: 19 January 2007 13:54
>> To: Ontology Summit 2007 Forum
>> Subject: [ontology-summit] Defining "ontology"
>>
>>
>> Greetings,
>>
>> I am concerned with the suggestions that it is possible to create a
>> continuum along which to organize what are known as "ontologies" in
>> one or more circles.
>>
>> At least unless we are willing to concede that the creation of such a
>> continuum is itself an imposition of assumptions from an undisclosed
>> ontology.
>>
>> I am sure there are those who would say that folksonomies are
>> "missing"
>> features that are present in "formal" ontologies. Perhaps, but
>> folksonomies predate "formal" ontologies by several millenia and have
>> proven robust enough for many purposes. If the goal is to represent
>> the opinions of the many rather than the few, perhaps it is "formal"
>> ontologies that "missing" features.
>>
>> I am not taking a position one way or the other. But, I do think it is
>> important to realize that any attempt to construct a continuum is with
>> an unstated choice of a winner before the the continuum is populated.
>>
>> Hope everyone is looking forward to a great weekend!
>>
>> Patrick
>>
>> --
>> Patrick Durusau
>> Patrick@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> Chair, V1 - Text Processing: Office and Publishing Systems Interface
>> Co-Editor, ISO 13250, Topic Maps -- Reference Model Member, Text
>> Encoding Initiative Board of Directors, 2003-2005
>>
>> Topic Maps: Human, not artificial, intelligence at work!
>>
>>
>>
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