NCBO Wiki - User contributions [en]

Glossary

2007-02-27T18:00:38Z

Daniel schober: /* Ontology */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

Terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities in a representational artifact.
Daniel S: Should we add 'representations of universals', 'definitions' and 'properties' to the examples of RUs above ?

===Ontology===

A representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

Comment:
In ontologies nodes from a CV (each of which is associated with an identifier, term, definition, and an optional set of synonyms.) are linked by directed edges, thus forming a graph. This graph represents a counterpart structure on the side of entities (classes, universals) in reality, and its edges represent the relations (e.g. is-a or part-of) which hold between these entities. If a node has a parent node in the is-a hierarchy, then we say that the corresponding class is subsumed by this parent node.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type, natural kind)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

No def,
Examples: individual patients, their lesions, diseases, and bodily reactions, some of which receive PROPER NAMES.
In the paper 'individuals' and 'tokens' were called synonyms also. This should be reslved more clearly I guess.

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:11:47Z

Daniel schober: /* Universal (type) */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

Terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities in a representational artifact.
Daniel S: Should we add 'representations of universals', 'definitions' and 'properties' to the examples of RUs above ?

===Ontology===

A representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type, natural kind)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

No def,
Examples: individual patients, their lesions, diseases, and bodily reactions, some of which receive PROPER NAMES.
In the paper 'individuals' and 'tokens' were called synonyms also. This should be reslved more clearly I guess.

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:10:49Z

Daniel schober: /* Particular (instance) */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

Terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities in a representational artifact.
Daniel S: Should we add 'representations of universals', 'definitions' and 'properties' to the examples of RUs above ?

===Ontology===

A representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

No def,
Examples: individual patients, their lesions, diseases, and bodily reactions, some of which receive PROPER NAMES.
In the paper 'individuals' and 'tokens' were called synonyms also. This should be reslved more clearly I guess.

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:07:23Z

Daniel schober: /* Universal (type) */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

Terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities in a representational artifact.
Daniel S: Should we add 'representations of universals', 'definitions' and 'properties' to the examples of RUs above ?

===Ontology===

A representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Reference Terminology paper:

General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:06:50Z

Daniel schober: /* Ontology */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

Terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities in a representational artifact.
Daniel S: Should we add 'representations of universals', 'definitions' and 'properties' to the examples of RUs above ?

===Ontology===

A representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Ref Terminology paper:
General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:06:27Z

Daniel schober: /* Representational Units */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

Terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities in a representational artifact.
Daniel S: Should we add 'representations of universals', 'definitions' and 'properties' to the examples of RUs above ?

===Ontology===

a representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Ref Terminology paper:
General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:02:32Z

Daniel schober: /* Representation */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities external to the representation.

===Representational Units===

terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities external to the representation.

===Ontology===

a representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Ref Terminology paper:
General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T16:00:11Z

Daniel schober: /* Representation */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

An image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities.

===Representational Units===

terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities external to the representation.

===Ontology===

a representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Ref Terminology paper:
General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T15:59:55Z

Daniel schober: /* Entity */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

Anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

an image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities.

===Representational Units===

terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities external to the representation.

===Ontology===

a representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Ref Terminology paper:
General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T15:59:16Z

Daniel schober: /* Universal (type) */

==About==

This glossary is to help communication within the NCBO by standardizing the terms we use internally

Many of the terms here are sourced from:
[[Media:SmithCeusters.pdf]]

== Meanings of terms used in NCBO ==

'''Levels of Reality:'''

1 - Physical Reality

2 - Psychological Reality = our knowledge and beliefs about 1.

3 - Propositions, Theories, Texts = formalizations of those ideas and beliefs

== Definitions ==

===Entity===

anything which exists, including things and processes, functions and qualities, beliefs and actions, documents and software (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Note that sometimes in software engineering the term "entity" refers solely to a the digital representation itself rather than the thing being represented. Within NCBO we use "entity" to mean anything that exists, but typically for level 1 entities.

===Domain===

portion of reality that forms the subject-matter of a single science or technology or mode of study.

===Representation===

an image, idea, map, picture, name or description ... of some entity or entities.

===Representational Units===

terms, icons, alphanumeric identifiers ... which refer, or are intended to refer, to entities external to the representation.

===Ontology===

a representational artifact whose representational units (which may be drawn from a natural or from some formalized language) are intended to represent types in reality and those relations between these types which obtain universally (universally = for all instances)

From Reference Terminology Paper:
An ONTOLOGY is a representational artifact,
comprising a taxonomy as proper part, whose
representational units are intended to designate some
combination of universals, defined classes, and
certain relations between them.

====Application vs Reference Ontology====

There is a good summary here:
Reference Ontologies - Application Ontologies: Either/Or or Both/And?
Christopher Menzel
Texas AM University

[[Media:MenzelOntology.pdf]]

=== Mapping vs. Alignment ===
Mapping = Refers to the process of creation of a relationship b/w
terms in separate ontologies

Alignment = Refers to the process of creation of a near-synonymy
relation b/w terms in separate ontologies

===Universal (type)===
From Ref Terminology paper:
General terms such as ‘DNA’, ‘fracture’, ‘cat’, which represent structures or characteristics in reality which are exemplified – the very same structures or characteristics; over and over again – in an open-ended collection of particulars in arbitrarily disconnected regions of space and time, e.g. as a certain DNA structure is instantiated as a transcript (RNA-structure) over and over again in cells of our body.
A universal is something that is shared in common by all those particulars which are its INSTANCES. The
universal itself then exists in Level 1 reality as a result of existing in its particular instances. It is overwhelmingly universals which are the entities represented in scientific texts and which are used for classifications.
Comment: Universals in a taxonomy stand in an is_a relation

===Particular (instance)===

===Aristotelian Definition===

Also known as genus-differentia definition (but not limited to species taxonomies).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus-differentia_definition

Glossary

2007-02-27T15:52:37Z

Daniel schober: /* Ontology */

Glossary

2007-02-27T15:47:53Z

Daniel schober: /* Representational Units */