Roles: A Four-Dimensional Analysis

In ontology the underlying nature of things is sought. Thus it is that the roles things play can sometimes be neglected. Some different sorts of things that get called roles: places in relations, ways of participating in activities, and ways of being a part of a system, are considered. Roles are then analysed from a 4dimensional and extensional perspective. We find that in individuals a role is a state of some individual that participates in a relationship or an activity, whereas with classes it is the class itself that participate in a place in a relation. In systems (both social and functional roles) we find that roles are replaceable parts of the system that are the purpose the part plays in the whole. A 4-dimensionalist ontology of roles, linked to an upper ontology is presented, and this is used to set out the key properties of roles as found here and by others. Keywords. ontology, 4-dimensionalism, role.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: FOMI
• Authors: Matthew West
• Keywords: Extensional Perspective, FOMI 2008, Knowledge Management, Ontology, Roles Things