Debugging Classical Ontologies Using Defeasible Reasoning Tools

A successful application of ontologies relies on representing as much accurate and relevant domain knowledge as possible, while maintaining logical consistency. As the successful implementation of a real-world ontology is likely to contain many concepts and intricate relationships between the concepts, it is necessary to follow a methodology for debugging and refining the ontology. Many ontology debugging approaches have been developed to help the knowledge engineer pinpoint the cause of logical inconsistencies and rectify them in a strategic way. We show that existing debugging approaches can lead to unintuitive results, which may lead the knowledge engineer to opt for deleting potentially crucial and nuanced knowledge. We provide a methodological and design foundation for weakening faulty axioms in a strategic way using defeasible reasoning tools. Our methodology draws from Rodler’s interactive ontology debugging approach and extends this approach by creating a methodology to systematically find conflict resolution recommendations. Importantly, our goal is not to convert a classical ontology to a defeasible ontology. Rather, we use the definition of exceptionality of a concept, which is central to the semantics of defeasible description logics, and the associated algorithm to determine the extent of a concept’s exceptionality (their ranking); then, starting with the statements containing the most general concepts (the least exceptional concepts) weakened versions of the original statements are constructed; this is done until all inconsistencies have been resolved.

A simple holographic universe

In the context of an evolution occurring in thick present instants, we investigate the possible emergence of a spacelike foliation through a toy model based on the information of entanglement among quanta of space. We elaborate the hypotheses of the model for on a physically implementable solution and identify the need for finite and discrete information, relativity in respect to universal scales of reference and logical consistency of the global information potential. We conjecture the possible emergence of an imaginary spacetime as a holographic boundary between 2 symmetric bulk regions extending in the thick present and evolving synched on a discrete cycle (identified as an elementary quantum of action and connected to a spacetime sampling-rate). We then investigate how the information of a single particle could be described in the model through an analysis of scale of the information of non-locality in the spacelike foliation. Finally, we propose how the information potential could be intended and efficiently encoded through a wavelet analysis (log-perspective) and elaborate on the “features” (such as spin or anti-matter) derived from the symmetries in the model

A thermodynamic origin for the Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound

The Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound is imposed on the grounds of logical consistency (with classical General Relativity) upon local quantum field theories. This paper puts the bound into the context of a thermodynamic principle applicable to a field with a particular equation of state in an expanding universe. This is achieved without overtly appealing to either a decreasing density of states or a minimum coupling requirement, though they might still be consistent with the results described.

A thermodynamic origin for the Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound

The Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound is imposed on the grounds of logical consistency (with classical General Relativity) upon local quantum field theories. This paper puts the bound into the context of a thermodynamic principle applicable to a field with a particular equation of state in an expanding universe. This is achieved without overtly appealing to either a decreasing density of states or a minimum coupling requirement, though they might still be consistent with the results described.

Logical verification of Einstein’s “light clock” thought experiment

Numerous paradoxes have been noted with regard to Einstein’s special theory of relativity (STR) [A. Einstein, Ann. Phys. 322, 891 (1905)]. This is because the logical consistency of the two guiding principles he adopts has not been fully verified. Here, the author discusses Einstein’s “light clock” thought experiment based on the two guiding principles of STR. Following those principles would lead to a logical breakdown in the STR.

Assessment and Visualization of OSM Consistency for European Cities

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) is a widely used data source in various fields and services, such as environmental monitoring, disaster and crisis management, SDI, and mapping. Quality is a critical factor for the usability of VGI. This study focuses on evaluating logical consistency based on the topological relationships between geographic features while considering semantics. It addresses internal (i.e., between thematic layers) and external (i.e., between specific features from different thematic layers) logical consistency. Attribute completeness is computed to support the use of semantics. A tool for assessing the consistency and attribute completeness is designed and implemented in the ArcGIS environment. An open-source web mapping application informs users about VGI consistency with multiscale visualization and indices. Data from OpenStreetMap (OSM), one of the most popular collaborative projects, are evaluated for six European cities: Athens, Berlin, Paris, Utrecht, Vienna, and Zurich. The case study uses OSM-derived data, downloaded from Geofabrik and organized into thematic layers. OSM’s consistency is evaluated and visualized at the regional, city, and feature levels. The results are discussed and conclusions on attribute completeness and consistency are derived.

Applying Philosophy, Logic, and Rational Argumentation to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Pandemic Response

Part of philosophy is to subject assertions to critical scrutiny, clarifying exactly what the assertion is saying, its implications, and thus its direct plausibility. The goal is to ensure clarity, logical consistency, and rational argumentation in order to arrive at reasoned conclusions. A common problem is that arguments have missing implied premises that, unless explicitly stated, are mistakenly assumed to be true. Here we subject conclusions made regarding the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to critical scrutiny, revealing their implied premises so that these premises can be explicitly examined and refuted. Specifically, we refute the conclusions that “no one is protected until everyone is protected” and “population lockdowns are required to protect those at high risk of adverse outcomes.” In the end, we argue for the conclusion that “an Emergency Management principles based response to the pandemic, compared to population-wide lockdowns, offers a way to prevent more adverse outcomes from COVID-19, better prevent overwhelmed healthcare, and prevent most of the collateral damage to the wellbeing of the population that has resulted from the lockdowns.”

Comments on the contents of the dependability terminology standard

Aim. The long-lasting discussion of the dependability-related terminology is evidence of the relevance of the subject matter and, at the same time, identifies difficulties associated with finding middle-ground solutions. This article aims to eliminate the shortcomings associated with the application of the conventional, yet insufficiently substantiated terms in the GOST 27.002-2015 interstate standard. Correct understanding and use of terms are of great significance. Methods. The paper lays down the requirements for the used terminology in terms of internal logical consistency and identifies specific terms, the use of which violates such requirements. Several terms from the standard underwent a logical and terminological analysis based on statutory requirements and the semantic meanings of such terms. Findings and conclusions. The paper states that the perfection of terms, definitions and basic concepts comes down to the fact that a standard shall not contain synonyms, homonyms and terms previously adopted in other standards with new or modified definitions. The terminological analysis helped to identify the terms whose use is unjustified. It was noted that the term “dependability” is clearly defined as a property, whose content and meaning are set forth with adequate substantiation. However, other definitions of dependability in the standard are not substantiated. Several cases of the use of terms that do not comply with the proposed requirements were considered, e.g., “dependability estimation”, “dependability indicators estimation”, “state of item”, etc.

Psychotherapy: The Challenge and Power of Consistency

Summary As an introduction to this issue, the article substantiates the possibility and meaningfulness of a coherent theoretical system for psychotherapy, as it is strived for in Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy and presented in several articles in this issue. The necessity of consistency in the theoretical assumptions and concepts of a psychotherapy method is not derived from scientific considerations alone, but already arises from the elementary role of consistency in human life. This also results in the requirements for the consistency of theoretical foundations of psychotherapy. It is not fulfilled in a mere internal, logical consistency of its models, but only in the actual fitting together with the critical-phenomenal and naive-phenomenal worlds of the therapists and their clients (in interaction with their “naive psychologies”) in the reality test of life.