On Fri, Jan 20, 2006 at 09:27:02AM -0600, John Cabral wrote:
> > On Fri, Jan 20, 2006 at 09:15:32AM -0000, West, Matthew R
> > SIPC-DFD/321 wrote:
> > > Dear Chris,
> > >
> > > Could I attempt a slight precisification? I suggest:
> > >
> > > A formal ontology is a set of sentences in a formal langauge.
> > >
> > > I think an ontology covers a wider range of things, and the
> > > addition of "formal" clarifies what we are really talking
> > > about.
> >
> > That strikes me as a useful clarification.
>
> With regards to criticisms of the simple definition,
>
> First, it only takes one sentence to 'break' an ontology and make it
> inconsistent. Therefore, the exact set of sentences that you are
> depending on is not a trivial issue. (01)
Certainly true, John. I *think* you consider this breakability a
virtue, but I'm not sure. Or is it just an observation? (02)
> Second, isa 2+2=4 is an ontology the same way that a "Hello World"
> program is a program. It's not very interesting, but it counts. (03)
Right. It seems to me that any definition that tries to rule out
"2+2=4" and rule in Cyc's upper ontology or SUMO is hopeless. (04)
> With regards to identity and changes...
>
> Can't we resolve a large part of this problem by developing a
> bookkeeping / documentation system that will allow us to track these
> sets of formal sentences and how they relate to each other and allow
> the developers to communicate with others how they intended the
> ontology to be used. (05)
I should think this is possible. (06)
> Moreover, the documentation will allow us to explain the purpose of the
> ontology without requiring that we come up with an actual theory of
> purpose that's included in the ontology itself. (That is, of course an
> ontology has a purpose, but it doesn't have to be an ontology that can
> represent purposes.) (07)
Strongly agree. (08)
-chris (09)
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