Definition
Ontology
Ontology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the study of being, existence, and reality. It investigates the categories of entities that exist or may be said to exist and how such entities can be grouped within a hierarchy and subdivided according to similarities and differences.
Taxonomy and Relations
Categorical Classification (Hierarchy)
Ontological frameworks often utilise a hierarchical structure to organise entities. This involves defining a “summum genus” (the most general category) and subsequent “differentia” that specify sub-categories.
Ontological Commitment (Theory)
In the context of formal systems, the ontological commitment of a theory is the set of entities it assumes to exist. This is particularly relevant in first-order logic, where the existential quantifier denotes the assertion of existence within a domain.
Computational Ontology (Representation)
Within computer science, an ontology is a formal specification of a conceptualisation. It provides a shared and reusable piece of knowledge about a specific domain, often represented using a specialised languages such as OWL.