Ontological Theory Research Articles

La Fenomenología del Lenguaje y el Concepto de la Razón Práctica en el Pensamiento de Charles Taylor

Tomando como punto de partida el concepto que tiene Taylor acerca del ser humano como un ser de significados, este articulo estudia el modo como Taylor elabora su concepcion del uso practico de la razon, recuperando ciertas nociones fundamentales de la tradicion fenomenologica y hermeneutica relativas al lenguaje, como lo son la idea del trasfondo y la situacion encarnada del hombre. Puesto que, en definitiva, el trasfondo constituye un horizonte de referencia anterior, desde el punto de vista ontologico, al dominio subjetivo de la razon en el agente humano, el analisis de Taylor termina por favorecer ciertos enfoques de la filosofia contemporanea como, por ejemplo, la analitica existenciaria de Heidegger, que buscan prescindir, paradojicamente, de la premisa del sujeto. Si atendemos a esta indicacion, un desafio que resta, pues, al desarrollo futuro de los modos de comprension de la filosofia moral, y de la antropologia filosofica, es el de como vincular el analisis del problema moral, de un sujeto de sentidos, con una teoria ontologica del trasfondo que es, en cambio, a-subjetiva.

Agent, Person, Subject, Self: A Theory of Ontology, Interaction, and Infrastructure by Paul Kockelman.

Agent, Person, Subject, Self: A Theory of Ontology, Interaction, and Infrastructure by Paul Kockelman.

IBN SĪNĀ’S APPROACH TO EQUALITY AND UNITY

AbstractAristotle did not develop the quantification of the predicate, but, as shown in a recent paper by Hasnawi, Ibn Sīnā did. In fact, assuming the Aristotelian subject-predicate structure, Ibn Sīnā qualifies those propositions that carry a quantified predicate as deviating (muḥarrafa) propositions. A consequence of Ibn Sīnā’s approach is that the second quantification is absorbed by the predicate term. The clear differentiation between a quantified subject, that settles the domain of quantification, and a predicative part, that builds a proposition over this domain, corresponds structurally to the distinction, made in constructive type theory, between the type of sets and the type of propositions.Neither did Aristotle combine his logical analysis of quantification with his ontological theory of relations or equality. But Ibn Sīnā makes use of syllogisms that require a logic of equality, and considered cases where quantification combines via equality with singular terms. Moreover these reflections provide the basis for his theory of numbers that is based on the interplay between the One and the Many. If we combine Ibn Sīnā’s metaphysical theory of equality with his work on the quantification of the predicate, a logic of equality comes out naturally. Indeed, the interaction between quantification of the predicate and equality can be applied to Ibn Sīnā’s own examples of syllogisms involving these notions. By using the formal instruments provided Martin-Löf's constructive type theory, the present paper establishes links between Ibn Sīnā’s metaphysics and his logical work: links that have been discussed in relation to other topics by Thom and Street. Ibn Sīnā did not develop a logic of identity, but he did develop the conceptual means to do so.

Analysis of Knowledge Fusion System Model Based on Ontology and Multi-Agent Theory

Information increase rapidly in recent years which make the effective use of information is not that easy. Knowledge fusion can improve the semantic accuracy and specification of knowledge; it’s a useful way to make the mass disordered information integrated and easy to be recognized for users. The paper proposed a knowledge fusion system model based on ontology and multi-agent theory to meet with the user’ changing needs at any time.

The primitive ontology of quantum physics: Guidelines for an assessment of the proposals

The paper seeks to make progress from stating primitive ontology theories of quantum physics—notably Bohmian mechanics, the GRW matter density theory and the GRW flash theory—to assessing these theories. Four criteria are set out: (a) internal coherence; (b) empirical adequacy; (c) relationship to other theories; and (d) explanatory value. The paper argues that the stock objections against these theories do not withstand scrutiny. Its focus then is on their explanatory value: they pursue different strategies to ground the textbook formalism of quantum mechanics, and they develop different explanations of quantum non-locality. In conclusion, it is argued that Bohmian mechanics offers a better prospect for making quantum non-locality intelligible than the GRW matter density theory and the GRW flash theory.

Tabla Tuning on the Workshop Stage: Toward a Materialist Musical Ethnography

Focusing on the climactic moment when a customer comes to the shop to collect his or her drum, this article describes the fine-tuning of tabla in great detail. In the process, the paper addresses the dexterous manual gestures and acts of diagnostic audition performed by tabla makers, relationships between players and makers, as well as the interconnection between material and interpersonal constraints that influence fine-tuning. This musical ethnography of tabla tuning is grounded in a methodology based on new materialist scholarship such as object-oriented ontology and actor network theory. It advocates for greater acknowledgement of the ways in which instruments influence musical practices as well as the musical contributions of instrument makers, and it demonstrates the practical application of materialist scholarship to the study of musical practices.

Ontology based Semantic Search Engine for Cancer

The idea is to analyze the knowledge about the real world and then create a standard upon stabled rules and relation types to translate the human (natural) language in a machine and human readable language. For that it need to classify and organize data such as text, pictures, videos or database entries in a system with logical connections between data representing the knowledge shared by people. The Ontology provides a framework for the development of Semantic Web and Artificial Intelligence. Here Medical Knowledge Engineering is the Key. This paper deals with the Medical Knowledge Base to build an ontological structure. In this paper Medical Knowledge about cancer is been combined with the semantic web search engine. Based on the introduction of ontology theory, the author uses Protege 2000 of Stanford, the construction and maintenance tool of ontology, designed and completed Medical Knowledge based on Ontology and all details about cancer, cancer categories, its cause, symptoms etc. The system also learned from this details and new details from the searching process. The improvement and learning process is achieved by comparing the details with some knowledge organization systems. Knowledge acquisition in semantic web is done by RDF explorer. RDF scheme defines relationship and those relationship make the searching in a different level.

Construction of XBRL Semantic Metamodel and Knowledge Base Based on Ontology

In order to improve the interoperability of XBRL format financial reporting on the semantic level, a novel XBRL financial reporting metamodel and a fact data semantic metamodel are proposed, which uses the Semantic Web technologies and Ontology theory. Then, a XBRL knowledge base is constructed based on this metamodel .Using the metamodel-based translation mechanism from XBRL to OWL / RDF, all the semantic information in XBRL taxonomy and instance documents is translated into OWL ontology and RDF instance. Finally, a knowledge base covering the semantic information of financial reporting domain is constructed.

Yaws, Syphilis, Sexuality, and the Circulation of Medical Knowledge in the British Caribbean and the Atlantic World

This history of the disease categories "yaws" and "syphilis" explores the interplay between European and African medical cultures in the early modern Atlantic world. The assertion made by both early modern and modern medical authorities, that yaws and syphilis are the same disease, prompts a case study of the history of disease that reflects on a variety of issues in the history of medicine: the use of ideas about contagion to demarcate racial and sexual difference at sites around the British Empire; the contrast between persistently holistic ideas about disease causation in the Black Atlantic and the growth of ontological theories of disease among Europeans and Euro-Americans; and the controversy over the African practice of yaws inoculation, which may once have been an effective treatment but was stamped out by plantation owners who viewed it as a waste of their enslaved laborers' valuable time.

Dance and Fetish: Phenomenology and Metz's Epistemological Shift

Christian Metz is remembered today as having almost single-handedly transformed the culture of film studies. This widely held view was summarized by one commentator, who wrote that “with Metz a new research paradigm is born, as well as a new generation of scholars. The ontological theories are followed by methodological theories.” According to another, “Metz exemplified a new kind of film theorist, one who came to the field already ‘armed’ with the analytic instruments of a specific discipline, who was unapologetically academic and unconnected to the world of film criticism.” Of course, Metz didn't just surge like a meteor on the scene of film studies. His arrival was “prepared” by the filmologie movement spear-headed in Paris by Gilbert Cohen-Séat and by two early film semiology essays published by Roland Barthes in La Revue internationale de filmologie. Yet it is Metz who is rightly remembered as the figurehead of film semiology.

Integral Theory and the Search for Earthly Emancipation

This article responds to two recent pieces by Timothy Rutzou in an effort to push forward a fruitful dialogue between critical realism (CR) and integral theory (IT). The intention is not a philosophical defence of integral theory; there are far more capable people to attempt a philosophical defence (or surrender). Rather the aim here is to help push forward the development of dialectical critical realism (DCR). Rutzou’s critique centres on four themes: (1) in what way is critical realism a metatheory, (2) integral theory often commits the epistemic fallacy, (3) integral theory is explicitly committed to ontological monovalence and (4) integral theory is ‘a quasi-scientific-religious holistic worldview’. I largely accept Rutzou’s metatheoretical comment and criticisms. I will briefly expand on each of these issues and then suggest that none of Rutzou’s criticisms are fatal to a constructive engagement between integral theory and critical realism. It is a bit awkward to be defending the importance of transpersonal psychology with a theorist who is currently working on rethinking the question of ‘miracles’. Rutzou does accept my claim that integral theory offers to dialectical critical realism (1) psychological theories of human development, (2) cultural anthropology and (3) transpersonal psychology. Thus I am a bit perplexed with the tone of criticism. His tone suggests that the criticisms lodged against IT are fatal. Yet his conclusion is that engagement between IT and CR should take place. Rutzou should clarify his position and explain why the criticisms are not fatal.

Quantum Humeanism, or: Physicalism without Properties

In the recent literature, it has become clear that quantum physics does not refute Humeanism: Lewis's thesis of Humean supervenience can be literally true even in the light of quantum entanglement. This point has so far been made with respect to Bohm's quantum theory. Against this background, this paper seeks to achieve the following four results: (1) to generalize the option of quantum Humeanism from Bohmian mechanics to primitive ontology theories in general; (2) to show that this option applies also to classical mechanics; (3) to establish that it requires a commitment to matter as primitive stuff, but no commitment to natural properties (physicalism without properties); (4) to point out that by removing the commitment to properties, the stock metaphysical objections against Humeanism from quidditism and humility no longer apply. In that way, quantum physics strengthens Humeanism instead of refuting it.

Implementing of a three-phase integrated decision support model for parts machining outsourcing

Parts machining outsourcing (PMO) can be regarded as a strategic weapon to increase product quality and productivity as well as cost cutting in many manufacturing enterprises. However, making an outsourcing decision based on accumulated experience is neither effective nor scientific due to subjective judgement and lack of systematic analysis. Therefore, to systematically help the decision-maker survey and select suppliers to outsource and also to timely achieve the most beneficial portfolio among suppliers in a non-cooperative game structure, this paper proposes an integrated decision support model for PMO using ontology, constraint-based reasoning, fuzzy VIKOR and game theory in three phases, namely supplier prequalification, ultimate selection and order coordination. In the decision-making process, decision factors such as quality, cost and production capability are categorised and put into different phases, respectively, by their characteristics for being measured at a more reasonable method. Finally, a case from a leading printing machinery enterprise is analysed to validate the proposed model. This research is expected to improve the quality and effectiveness of decision-making in PMO.

Ontologies of Place, Creative Meaning Making and Critical Cosmopolitan Education

Discourses of globalization and cosmopolitanism, focusing on the rapid flows of people, resources, and knowledge around the globe and subsequent encounters between global citizens, present a binary between “global” and “local.” At the same time educational theories, perhaps especially in the areas of language and literacy studies, promote a view of learning as occurring through mediated interactions in local, situated practices. This article offers a lens to bridge perspectives between ever‐increasing global shifts and movements and situated human interactions through a theorization of the mediational nature of place. Following discussion of global and local as binaries across literatures, I offer a theory of ontologies of place, highlighting it as mediational in meaning making in human interactions. Locating learning within a sociocultural framework, I describe a project linking underresourced English‐learning youth transnationally through multimodal e‐communication, then present an analysis of data from the project to illuminate how place mediates the interactions through which understandings are negotiated and constructed. Findings point to not only the primacy of place in creative meaning making among global youth, but also to the necessity of paying adequate attention to a critical cosmopolitanism: a way forward that considers how to promote and support global encounters and engagements in a way that expands affiliations, openness, creativity, and caring with an imperative to create and sustain just and equitable relations.

Utilizing The Social Transaction Theory Of Social Ontology To Understand Organizational Culture Change

Recent popular literature has spawned an ever increasing amount of leadership and management advice on how to manage, lead, and institute organizational change. While some of this advice may be effective, the literature has shown that the majority of organizational change initiatives fail. Most current leadership and management practices prescribe organizational treatment without understanding the nature and underlying cause of organizational illness. In the case of organizational culture, failure to properly institute change can have long-term repercussions. This paper proposes that the social transaction theory of social ontology can be used to explain not only how organizational culture is formed, but also how it responds to attempts to change it. Thus, by understanding the underlying mechanisms of culture formation and transformation, effective approaches can be developed to demonstrate how lasting change can be instituted.

Using Ontology Theory to Enhance Problem Solving Skills

It has been proved that using Ontology to construct hierarchical structure for concepts could help understanding conceptual knowledge which is a necessary to problem solving. The study proposes a novel teaching material based on Ontology theory to enhance students’ problem solving skill on computer virus. An experimental study is adopted to evaluate the new teaching material. The experiment result shows the proposed teaching material based on Ontology concept outperforms the traditional one. Moreover, the research examined the subjects’ attitude with the questionnaire “Technology Acceptance” and found out that over 50% of learners considered the teaching material was easy to learn and useful in clarifying their misconceptions as well as helpful to their problem solving skills.

Modern debates over correlation between ontology and epistemology: the religious studies context

How do cognitive paradigms depend on the definition of the existential status of the objects being studied (and vice versa) and what is the specificity of this problem when it comes to the philosophical analysis of religion? Substantiation and relevance of the topic has general and local levels. The question of the relation of knowledge to reality implies the answer to another question: what reality we can know something, therefore the interaction of the theory of knowledge and ontology is one of the heuristic themes of contemporary philosophical discourse. On the territory of the philosophy of religion, which explores objects (and their reflections on them) with a specific ontological status and many cognitive projections, this topic has special cognitive derivatives.

Machinic Interagency and Co-evolution

Machinic Interagency and Co-evolution

Integrating Vygotsky’s theory of relational ontology into early childhood science education

In Science Education during Early Childhood: A Cultural-Historical Perspective, Wolff-Michael Roth, Maria Ines Mafra Goulart and Katerina Plakitsi explore the practical application of Vygotsky’s relational ontological theory of human development to early childhood science teaching and teacher development. In this review, I interrogate how Roth et al. conceptualize “emergent curriculum” within the Eurocentric cultural-historical traditions of early childhood education that evolved primarily from the works of Vygotsky and Piaget and compare it to the conceptualizations from other prominent early childhood researchers and curriculum developers. I examine the implications of the authors’ interpretation of emergence for early childhood science education and teacher preparation.

On the Possibility of Quantum Informational Structural Realism

In The Philosophy of Information, Luciano Floridi presents an ontological theory of Being qua Being, which he calls “Informational Structural Realism”, a theory which applies, he says, to every possible world. He identifies primordial information (“dedomena”) as the foundation of any structure in any possible world. The present essay examines Floridi’s defense of that theory, as well as his refutation of “Digital Ontology” (which some people might confuse with his own). Then, using Floridi’s ontology as a starting point, the present essay adds quantum features to dedomena, yielding an ontological theory for our own universe, Quantum Informational Structural Realism, which provides a metaphysical interpretation of key quantum phenomena, and diminishes the “weirdness” or “spookiness” of quantum mechanics.