In philosophy, the term formal ontology is used to refer to an ontology defined by axioms in a formal language with the goal to provide an unbiased (domain- and application-independent) view on reality, which can help the modeler of domain- or application-specific ontologies (information science) to avoid possibly erroneous ontological assumptions encountered in modeling large-scale ontologies.
By maintaining an independent view on reality a formal (upper level) ontology gains the following properties:
- indefinite expandability:
- the ontology remains consistent with increasing content.
- content and context independence:
- any kind of 'concept' can find its place.
- accommodate different levels of granularity.
Theories on how to conceptualize reality date back as far as Plato and Aristotle.
Read more about Formal Ontology: Existing Formal Upper Level Ontologies (foundational Ontologies), Common Terms in Formal (upper-level) Ontologies, Formal Versus Nonformal
Famous quotes containing the word formal:
“Then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.”
—William Shakespeare (15641616)