Friday, January 27, 2006
[148] ß [parallel discussion on
generative methodology (Judith Rosen)
[147] ß [parallel discussion on
generative methodology (Peter Krieg)
[368] ß [comment on four issues
(Richard Ballard)
Four Issues about Ontological
Modeling
Communication from Paul Werbos à [367]
Communication from Paul Prueitt
Paul Werbos makes four important points, which I label as
Formal verse Natural reality: It is crucial that one may
use mathematical methods to understand a system which does not itself use or
exhibit "deduction" -- whether one studies an electron or the brain
of a mouse.
Plausible perfection of mathematics: I do believe that the physical universe as a whole can be
plausibly represented via formal mathematical models, to the best of our
knowledge today, and that we are well advised to push such understanding
further than we have yet.
Relational representation: As for
relational representations -- relational representations EITHER at as a function of time, or across
all space-time or all existence, certainly are among the important tools. Like derivatives -- they
are widely useful, but in many different ways, hard to summarize in a few
minutes.
Issue of Autopoiesis: I don't see
relational structure AS SUCH as addressing "autopoiesis ," really, at
a basic level.
Each of these points must be considered to be an open question of science.
Moreover, it is possible that the four points cover all of the issues that face the use of formal systems, whether by science or by society at large (as envisioned in the now popular notion of a “Semantic Web”.)
So for our community, we need to ask if there are other questions, or if these might be modified some. But many of us are willing to say that these are a most excellent and complete way to start a principled discussion about ontological modeling.