[topicmapmail] mathematical and taxonomic properties

[Murray Altheim]

Quoting Lars Marius Garshol <larsga at ontopia.net>:
>
> * Isabel Azevedo
>>
>> I'm starting to study Topic Map driven ontologies and I have some  doubts:
>> is it possible to represent mathematical properties (like symmetry or
>> transivity) or taxonomic properties (like disjoint) of a relation
>> (association) using Topic Map?
>
> Yes, this is possible, but no predefined vocabulary for doing it in  
> Topic Maps exists. One approach would be to define your own, another  
> to port OWL to Topic Maps and use that.
>
> Note that symmetry does not need to be expressed, since symmetrical  
> relations will always be represented in the following form:
>
>   borders-with(norway : neighbour, sweden : neighbour)
>
> Since both topics in the association play roles of the same type, the 
>  association must be symmetric.

You've with one statement already mixed an unnamed form of logic
with topography and/or political geography, also unnamed. The
danger in these kinds of statements is that without any grounding
they're ambiguous and therefore unreasonable (unless you're willing
to live with mistakes). This was why I suggested that in order to
begin designing ontologies one must begin at the beginning, with
a FOL or FOL-derivative. Adding to this mereology, then topology,
then political geography is necessary in order to be able to even
talk about "Norway" and "borders-with". A good read of Sowa will
douse one's enthusiasm a bit. It's not that it can't be done, it's
just that it's not so simple as you seem to suggest.

This is the common fallacy with a great deal of "Semantic Web" work;
that you can just jump in anywhere. Look at Cyc for a good example
of what's necessary to begin at a lower-level ontology -- you've
got to first have top and middle. And for anyone on this list who's
been paying attention to SUO and SUMO, the top is difficult enough.
Hell, just getting even the FOL basis of the top is really tough,
as evidenced from the Common Logic private and mailing list and
discussions.

Murray

...........................................................................
Murray Altheim <murray06 at altheim.com>                              ===  = =
http://www.altheim.com/murray/                                     = =  ===
SGML Grease Monkey, Banjo Player, Wantanabe Zen Monk               = =  = =

      In the evening
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