All, (01)
I respect Tom for having put a stake in the ground back in the day and
tried to come up with a definition. It was an important milestone and
gave use something to start with and work from. So I apologize for
suggesting it be "discarded", rather I mean we should move on. Most of
us who have spent any time thinking seriously about ontologies over
the past 15 years have found problems with the "specialization of a
conceptualization" definition. This group includes Leo and Mike, so
I'm sure they only let this through knowing the community would rant
and rail. (02)
The main problem, as pointed out already by several people in this
discussion, and as published *numerous times* in the years Tom was on
hiatus from the real world of ontology research, is with
"conceptualization". It is a word more ambiguous than "ontology" and
creates far more problems than it ever solved. And Tom, since you
acknowledged having little philosophical training, it puts you on a
slippery slope into the realm of Conceptualism, which we probably want
to avoid. (03)
Also, as has already been pointed out, "specification" is NOT used in
a manner consistent with "database" specification or "requirements"
(or software spec, or standard spec, or anything else I can think of
in computer science). The specification is the result, not the thing
you started with. An ontology specification would be a correct usage
of the word in the CS sense. This is clear in the way it is used, you
say "specification of a conceptualization" not conceptualization
specification, because the latter doesn't seem to make sense. (04)
Another problem with "specification of a conceptualization" is that it
is short and sweet and everyone quotes it without referring to any
further definition or context - even if you go on (as Tom did
originally) about what a conceptualization is supposed to be. So I
don't think a fix would be to try and further define what is meant by
conceptualization in this case, spend the time rather on what is meant
by ontology. (05)
So my suggestions are: (06)
- remove Specialization of a Conceptualization.
- avoid any other tagline that can too easily be quoted out of context
- concentrate on defining ontology, not some recursively enumerable
set of dependent terms
- I'm ok with the dimensions, I'd prefer if the discussion could focus
on elaborating those
- I like that you have examples of things that are/aren't.
- as already suggested, remove the distinction between philosophy and
computer science. It doesn't help at all. (07)
-Chris (08)
Obrst, Leo J. wrote:
> All,
>
> Here is our draft statement about the Ontology Framework. We invite you
> to consider and discuss this -- now and in next week's sessions. We
> intend this to be an inclusive characterization of what an ontology
> is. Inclusive: meaning that we invite you to consider where you and your
> community is with respect to these dimensions. If you have concerns or
> issues, restatements or elaborations, please let us know now and next
> week. This will shortly be posted on the Framework Wiki page:
>
>http://ontolog.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?OntologySummit2007_FrameworksForConsideration.
>
>
>
> Thanks much,
>
> Tom Gruber, Michael Gruninger, Pat Hayes, Deborah McGuinness, Leo Obrst
>
> _____________________________________________
> Dr. Leo Obrst The MITRE Corporation, Information Semantics
> lobrst@xxxxxxxxx Center for Innovative Computing & Informatics
> Voice: 703-983-6770 7515 Colshire Drive, M/S H305
> Fax: 703-983-1379 McLean, VA 22102-7508, USA
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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--
Dr. Christopher A. Welty IBM Watson Research Center
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