RE: [ontolog-forum] Current Semantic Web Layer Cake

Duane,

You can actually approximate that by defining the concepts behind the
terms of your experiential statement: spicy food. Those refer to the
real world, and if you get it approximately right those "concepts"
point to real world referents. The usual way of doing this is via
interpretation of the terms model-theoretically, where those formal
models "fill in" for the objects you actually refer to in the real
world. Again, approximation.

The grounding is actually into the models, so it is semantics wrt to a
model, which model "models" the real world. At least this is the
Tarskian (model-theoretic) form. 

Formal pragmatics can add more to this, but the ultimate relation you
are looking for is the symbol to referent (real world thing) link, and
this we can only approximate formally. A certain stripe of ontological
realist will say that our terms denote real world objects directly;
although I believe that in some sense, I think our ideas mediate, and
when we formalize, I think we can only approximate.

Thanks,
Leo

_____________________________________________ 
Dr. Leo Obrst       The MITRE Corporation, Information Semantics 
lobrst@mitre.org    Information Discovery & Understanding, Command and
Control Center
Voice: 703-983-6770 7515 Colshire Drive, M/S H305 
Fax: 703-983-1379   McLean, VA 22102-7508, USA 
  

-----Original Message-----
From: ontolog-forum-bounces@ontolog.cim3.net
[mailto:ontolog-forum-bounces@ontolog.cim3.net] On Behalf Of Duane
Nickull
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 4:05 PM
To: [ontolog-forum]; John F. Sowa
Cc: 'SW-forum'
Subject: Re: [ontolog-forum] Current Semantic Web Layer Cake




On 7/31/07 12:46 PM, "Azamat" <abdoul@cytanet.com.cy> wrote:

> The real semantics or meanings of any symbolism or notation is
defined by
> ontology; for this is the only knowledge domain studying the Being of
> Everything which is, happens and relates.

Not trying to start a nit picky argument, but I had always thought that
real
semantics are defined by how a term is used and what it is linked to in
a
physical world (which of course can be captured and expressed in an
ontology).  Otherwise any ontology is just a huge circular reference
(like
the english dictionary when void of any grounding.

How can one define and convey the true meaning of spicy food, heat,
pain etc
without the corresponding grounding experience?

Duane 

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Received on Tuesday, 31 July 2007 21:00:49 UTC