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1 Depicting Reality Barry Smith

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1 1 Depicting Reality Barry Smith http://ontology.buffalo.edu/smith

2 David Armstrong Universals and Scientific Realism 2

3 3

4 4 Armstrong’s Fantology The spreadsheet ontology

5 5 FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV a b c d e f g h i j k

6 6 FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV axxxxx b c d e f g h i j k

7 7 FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV axxxxx bxxxxx c d e f g h i j k

8 8 FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV axxxxx bxxxxx cxxxxx d e f g h i j k

9 9 FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV axxxxx bxxxxx cxxxxx dxx e f g h i j k and so on …

10 10 First-order logic F(a) R(a,b) F(a) v R(a,b) Either a F’s or a stands in R to b

11 11 Fantology The syntax of first-order predicate logic is a mirror of reality ‘Fa’ (or ‘Rab’) is the key to ontological structure (Fantology a special case of linguistic Kantianism: the structure of language is they key to the structure of [knowable] reality)

12 12 For the fantologist “(F(a)”, “R(a,b)” … is the language for ontology This language reflects the structure of reality The fantologist sees reality as being made up of atoms plus abstract (1- and n-place) ‘properties’ or ‘attributes’

13 13 Fantology infects computer science, too (Modern forms of this in the world of OWL, where we might talk of “  Fology”)

14 14 Formal Ontology vs. Formal Logic (Husserl) Formal ontology deals with the interconnections of things with objects and properties, parts and wholes, relations and collectives Formal logic deals with the interconnections of truths with consistency and validity, or and not

15 15 Formal Ontology vs. Formal Logic Formal ontology deals with formal ontological structures Formal logic deals with formal logical structures ‘formal’ = obtain in all material spheres of reality

16 16 Formal Ontology and Symbolic Logic Great advances of Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Peano (in logic, and in philosophy of mathematics) Leibnizian idea of a universal characteristic …symbols are a good thing

17 First principle of fantology all form is logical form 17

18 18 pace Russell, Wittgenstein, Armstrong … where entails is a logical relation, part-whole is an ontological relation

19 19 Standard FOL semantics ‘F’ stands for a property ‘a’ stands for an individual properties belong to Platonic realm of forms or properties are sets of individuals for which ‘F(a)’ is true

20 20 Armstrong Departs from fantology in some ways (for example with his Aristotelian doctrine of universals as immanent to particulars)

21 21... but He is still a prisoner of fantological syntax … the forms F(a) and R(a,b) are still the basic key to ontology

22 22 Fantology Works very well in mathematics Platonist theories of properties are here very attractive

23 23 Second Principle of Fantology “All generality belongs to the predicate The ‘a’ in ‘Fa’ is a mere name Contrast this with the way scientists use names: The electron has a negative charge DNA-Binding Requirements of the Yeast Protein Rap1p as selected In Silico from Ribosomal Protein Gene Promoter Sequences

24 24 Third Principle of Fantology “Individuals are mereologically simple FGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV axxxxx bxxxxx cxxxxx d e f g

25 25 ‘a’ leaves no room for ontological complexity Hence: reality is made of atoms Hence: all probability is combinatoric All true ontology is the ontology of ultimate universal furniture – the ontology of a future, perfected physics Fantology cannot do justice to the existence of different levels of granularity of reality Thus fantology is conducive to reductionism in philosophy

26 26 Fantology Armstrong ʼ s spreadsheet idea rests on a belief in some future state of ‘total (perfected) science ʼ (see also Peirce) when the values of ‘F ʼ and ‘a ʼ will be revealed to the elect (A science as a totality of propositions closed under logical consequence)

27 27 Armstrong The ontology of the basic furniture of reality – must be expressible in F(a), R(a,b) form Armstrong’s original definition of truthmaking: the state of affairs that p makes q true := p & necessarily(p  q) p ranges over truths of basic science q ranges over all truths

28 28 Fantology Fa yields the form of the basic ingredients of reality Thick particulars: a + F + G + H + … Thin particulars: a (‘irreducible particularity’)

29 29 Fantology: Some optional elements Fa The particular corresponds to a bare name  noumenal view of particulars (distinction between thin and thick particulars)  aversion to idea of substances as spatially extended and spatially located (Fantology useless e.g. for biomedical ontology)

30 30 Fantology Fa  noumenal view of particulars  Cf. Wittgenstein’s Tractatus (doctrine of simples)

31 31 Fantalogy Fa  Quine’s distinction between ontology and ideology physical objects do not instantiate universals; they are just occupied regions of spacetime predicates are just ideology (no singular terms for universals)

32 32 Fantology All form is logical form All necessity is logical necessity Cf. Wittgenstein‘s doctrine of the independence of states of affairs

33 33 Fantology Fa To understand properties is to understand predication (effectively in terms of functional application à la Frege)

34 34 Contrast Aristotle Predication in the category of substance: John is a man, Henry is an ox Predication in the category of accident: John is hungry, Henry is asleep

35 35 Fourth Principle of Fantology “There is no predication in the category of substance” (Alternatively: the two types of predication are confused)

36 Armstrong There are only property universals negatively charged (of electrons) phosphorylated (of proteins) etc. Thus no need for kind universals electron protein etc. 36

37 37 There is only one form of states of affairs Fa if there was predication in the category of substance, this would mess up Armstrong’s doctrine of states of affairs

38 38 Armstrong’s own view State of affairs = Substance + universals Substances are the locus of particularity Universals explain invariance/similarity (Both particulars and universals are abstractions from states of affairs)

39 39 No tropes For Armstrong, tropes are congealed states of affairs (Propositions of the form ‘Fa’ are the key to basic reality) ‘a’ refers always to substances (objects, things) ‘F’ refers always to Platonically conceived universals

40 40 Fantology Fa, Gb  x(Fx  Gx) This should be the form of laws of nature (not, for instance, differential equations) Therefore, again, a noumenal view of science Armstrong not able to name even one example of a really existing univeral or of a really existing particular Compare Wittgenstein

41 41 Fantology leads not only to Armstrong’s atoms + properties view of the basic ingredients of reality but also to trope bundle views (where the a is deleted, and the F, G, H… are seen as having particularity) Compare: Leibniz’s monadology (each monad is a bundle of concepts)

42 42 Fantology (given its roots in mathematics) has no satisfactory way of dealing with time hence leads to banishment of time from the ontology (as in Armstrong’s four-dimensionalism)

43 43 Fifth Principle of Fantology: Booleanism if F stands for a property and G stands for a property then F&G stands for a property FvG stands for a property not-F stands for a property F  G stands for a property and so on

44 44 Strong Booleanism There is a complete lattice of properties: self-identity FvG F G F&G non-self-identity

45 45 Strong Booleanism There is a complete lattice of properties: self-identity FvG not-F F G not-G F&G non-self-identity

46 46 Booleanism responsible, among other things, for Russell’s paradox Armstrong free from Booleanism With his sparse theory of properties

47 47 That Lewis and Armstrong arrived at their sparse view of properties against the solid wall of fantological Booleanist orthodoxy is a miracle of modern intellectual history analogous to a 5 stone weakling climbing up to breathe the free air at the top of Mount Everest with 1000 ton weights attached to his feet

48 48 leading them back, on this point, to where Aristotelians were from the very beginning

49 49 Gene Ontology Cellular Component Ontology: subcellular structures, locations, and macromolecular complexes; examples: nucleus, telomere Substances Molecular Function Ontology: tasks performed by individual gene products; transcription factor, DNA helicase Dependent Continuants Biological Process Ontology: broad biological goals accomplished by ordered assemblies of molecular functions; mitosis, purine metabolism Processes

50 50 Fantology implies a poor treatment of relations R(a,b) in terms of adicity What is the adicity of your headache (A relation between your consciousness and various processes taking place in an around your brain) ?

51 51 Fantology implies a neglect of environments John kisses Mary always in some environment (= roughly, in some spatial region: a room, a car …) Spatial regions are, like substances, three-dimensional endurants

52 52 Fantology leads you to talk nonsense about family resemblances

53 53 Fantology emphasizes the linguistic over the perceptual/physiognomic (the digitalized over the analogue)

54 54 The limitations of fantology lead one into the temptations of possible world metaphysics, and other similar fantasies

55 55 Fantology leads one to talk nonsense about possible worlds Definition: A possible world W is a pair (L,D) consisting of a set of first-order propositions L and a set of ground-level assertions D. … Informally, the set L is called the laws of W, and the set D is called the database of W. Other informal terms might be used: L may be called the set of axioms or database constraints for W. (John Sowa)

56 56 A better view In order to do justice to time we need to recognize both properties and processes (cf. Davidson’s views on events) property-universals and property-instances (tropes) (dependent continuants) process-universals and process-instances (occurrents)

57 57 Dependent Continuants states, powers, qualities, roles, functions, dispositions, plans, shapes … Plus Processes = the expressions, realizations of all of these things in time (Occurrents)

58 58 The (Aristotelian) Ontological Sextet Substances Qualities, Roles, Functions, …. Processes Universals Substance- universals Dependent Continuant- universals, Process- universals Particulars Individual Substances Dependent Continuant- instances Process- instances

59 59 Armstrong´s view: Substances Qualities, Roles, Functions, …. Processes Universals Properties Particulars

60 60 The tropist view: Substances Qualities, Roles, Functions, …. Processes Universals Particulars Tropes, bundles

61 61 The set-theoretical view: Substances Qualities, Functions, Roles … Processes Universals Sets Particulars Elements

62 62 Process Metaphysics Substances Qualities, Functions, Roles … Processes Universals Everything is flux Particulars

63 63 Armstrong Property universals are all we need No need to distinguish kind universals No need to distinguish predications in the category of substance from predications in the category of accident

64 64 Fantology is a form of linguistic Kantianism Semantic Fantology is a form of set-theoretical Kantianism The [knowable] world = the [set-theoretic] model of a formal theory

65 65 Arguments against Set Theory Lesniewski’s Argument: Even set theorists do not understand their own creations; thus they do not know how one important family of sets (the set of real numbers, for example) relates in size to other sets (the set of natural numbers, for example). Still no generally accepted correct axiomatization of set theory, Questions re Axiom of Choice, etc.

66 66 Set theory is Booleanism unremediated Booleanism without any remediating features whatsoever

67 67 There are skew partitions (true) of the same reality for example reflecting different granularities of analysis. If we identify entities in the world with sets, we cannot do justice to the identity of one and the same object as partitioned on different levels. Mereology, in contrast, can allow the simultaneous truth of: An organism is a totality of cells. An organism is a totality of molecules. France is the totality of its 7 regions. France is the totality of its 116 provinces.

68 68 Dominance of set-theoretic ontology as an account of classes means that there is no analytic- philosophical treatment of multi-variate statistical classification in spite of the fact that this is the major approach to classification in all sorts of natural and social sciences

69 69 The application of set theory to a subject-matter presupposes the isolation of some basic level of Urelemente, which make possible the simulation of the structures appearing on higher levels by means of sets of successively higher types.

70 70 But there is no such basic level of Urelemente in many spheres to which we might wish to direct ontological analysis, and in many spheres there is no unidirectional (upward) growth of complexity generated by simple combination.

71 71 Set theory reduces all complexity to combination or unification Set theory is a general theory of the structures which arise when objects are conceived as being united together ad libitum on successively higher levels, each object serving as member or element of objects on the next higher level.

72 72 Set theory is of course of considerable mathematical interest It is however an open question whether there is any theoretical interest attached to the possibility of such ad libitum unification from the perspective of ontology. For the concrete varieties of complexity which in fact confront us are subject always in their construction to quite subtle sorts of constraints, constraints which vary from context to context.

73 73 Set theory allows unrestricted (Boolean) combinations therefore gives as far more objects than we need {all red things, the number 6}

74 74 Sets are abstract entities Sets are timeless (they do not change) Thus a philosopher who countenances them in his ground-floor ontology has already renounced the advantages of a theory which is committed only to changing realia. He is thereby left with the problem of connecting up the abstracta he countenances with the real entities with which they are in different ways associated.

75 75 Against Set Theory as a Vehicle for Semantics There are some who would argue that we can understand a theory (for example in logic) only when we have given a set-theoretic semantics for that theory. (This is rather like saying that we can understand French only when we have translated it into English.) And how, on this basis, can we understand the language of set theory itself?

76 76 Truth for empirical sentences has classically been understood in terms of a correspondence relation (i.e. of some sort of isomorphism) between a judgment or assertion on the one hand and a certain portion of reality on the other. But reality evidently does not come ready-parcelled into judgment-shaped portions Hence practitioners of logical semantics have treated not of truth as such (understood as truth to an autonomous reality), but of truth in a model, where the model is a specially constructed set- theoretic reality-surrogate.

77 77 Problems with set theory If sets don't change, then a set- theoretical ontology cannot do justice the causal-historical continuous order Since sets divide the world into elements (points) this implies a certain unfaithfulness to boundary phenomena/continua Can’t do justice to gradations/prototypes

78 78 Mereology can deal more adequately with real-world collections Consider the collection of trees that is a certain forest. What is its cardinality? Are two trees that share a common root system one or two?

79 79 Mereology can deal more adequately with fields (e.g. in quantum field theory) since it does not presuppose the isolation of atoms at the bottom of a structural hierarchy

80 80 The standard set-theoretic account of the continuum initiated by Cantor and Dedekind and contained in all standard textbooks of the theory of sets, will be inadequate for at least the following reasons:

81 81 The experienced continuum does not sustain the sorts of cardinal number constructions imposed by the Dedekindian approach. The experienced continuum is not isomorphic to any real-number structure; standard mathematical oppositions, such as that between a dense and a continuous series, here find no application.

82 82 Set theory can yield at best a model of the experienced continuum and similar structures, not a theory of these structures themselves (for the latter are after all not sets).

83 83 The experienced continuum is in every case a concrete, changing phenomenon, a phenomenon existing in time, a whole which can gain and lose parts.

84 84 The application of set theory to a subject-domain presupposes the isolation of some basic level of Urelemente in such a way as to make possible a simulation of all structures appearing on higher levels by means of sets of successively higher types.

85 85 Theory of the continuum Set theory: out of unextended building blocks an extended whole can somehow be constructed. But the experienced continuum is not organized out of particles or atoms, rather, the wholes, including the medium of space, come before the parts which these wholes might contain and which might be distinguished on various levels within them.

86 86 Set theory leads to paradoxes In mereology, paradoxes do not arise, since every collection is part of itself, and there cannot be a collection that is not a part of itself

87 87 The alternative to fantology must take the spatiality and materiality and modular complexity of substances seriously Mereology plus Granularity plus theory of spatial extension ‘a’ refers to something that is complex

88 88 Mereology allows a nicer treatment of both plurals and mass nouns than set theory (but mereology, too, has problems dealing with time, and with granularity)

89 89 Mereology is much simpler than set theory Whereas set theory has two distinct operators: element-of and subset-of, mereology has only one basic operator: part-of

90 90 Mereology makes no distinction between an individual and a singleton set nor between different ways of building up collections by level of nesting: {a,b,c} is identical to {a, {{{b}}, {c}}}. Nelson Goodman: "No distinction of individuals without distinction of content."

91 91 How are the 6 categories of entity related together? Via FORMAL RELATIONS such as instantiation, part-whole, expression (between a function and a process) …

92 92 A better syntax variables x, y, z … range over universals and particulars in all 6 categories predicates stand only for FORMAL relations such as instantiates, part-of, connected-to, is- a-boundary-of, is-a-niche-for, etc. FORMAL relations are not extra ingredients of being (compare jigsaw puzzle pieces and the relations between them)

93 93 This suggests a new syntax: =(x,y) Part(x,y) Inst(x,y) Dep(x,y) Isa(x,y) John is a man: Inst(John, man) John’s headache depends on John: Dep(John’s headache, John)

94 94 Compare the syntax of set theory  (x,y) one (formal) predicate

95 95 Compare the syntax of set theory Basic Formal Ontology (BFO) has the syntax of set theory but with a PLURALITY of formal relations Note that logic gives us no clue as to what these are (they must include: location in space, location at a time …)

96 96 Compare the syntax of description logics isa(x,y) one formal predicate

97 97 Compare the syntax of description logics isa means: is an instance of is a sub-class of (is subsumed by) sometimes also: may be a is a part of (all symbolized by means of a single relational constant)

98 98 New syntax: =(x,y) Part(x,y) Inst(x,y) Dep(x,y) Compare Davidson’s treatment of events Does(John,e)

99 Aristotelian Ontological Sextet 99

100 100 Fantology All form is logical form To understand how the world hangs together you need to understand... and, or, not, all, some... No. You need formal-ontological relations like partial identity, spatial location, temporal location, instantiation,...

101 101 But what ARE the formal relations? Clue: Anatomy vs. Physiology SNAP vs. SPAN Synchronic vs. diachronic ontology

102 102 Different ontological perspectives SNAP vs SPAN Universals vs. Particulars Different levels of granularity: molecular, cellular, organism...

103 103 A hypothesis (first rough version) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by either SNAP or SPAN because they traverse the SNAP-SPAN divide they glue SNAP and SPAN entities together

104 104 A hypothesis (first rough version) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by either an inventory of universals or an inventory of particulars because they traverse the universal- particular divide they glue universals and particulars together ---- above all instantiation

105 105 A hypothesis (first rough version) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by an ontology on any single level of granularity because they traverse the granular divide they glue together entities on different levels of granularity --- above all parthood

106 106 This generates a first list of formal relations, e.g. dependence, but we find some of these relations also within SNAP or within SNAP

107 107 The idea (modified version) Formal relations are the relations that hold SNAP and SPAN entities/ontologies together and analogous relations … they come for free, they do not add anything to being = they are links between categories

108 108 Example: Ontological Dependence process  substance The erosion of the rock necessitates the existence of the rock quality  substance The token redness of the sand necessitates the existence of the sand

109 109 Generating a typology Two main types of formal relations: inter-ontological („transcendental“): obtain between entities of different ontologies intra-ontological: obtain between entities of the same ontology (intra-SNAP, intra- SPAN)

110 110 Three parameters: - the arity of the relation - the types of the relata, expressed as an ordered list, called the signature of the relation - the formal nature of the relation

111 111 Principal Signatures In the binary case: SNAP-SNAP - (SNAP i, SNAP i ), i = i - (SNAP i, SNAP i ), i j SPAN-SPAN SNAP-SPAN SPAN-SNAP

112 112 Transtemporal relations Examples: Genidentity (transtemporal generalization of identity/part-whole) Successive causality

113 113 Genidentity Also SPAN-SPAN? Is there a form of genidentity among processes? The such-as-to-have-come-forth-from relation. Signature: SNAP i -SNAP j Cut a chunk of matter in two, the sum of the remaining pieces is genidentical to the chunk before cutting

114 114 Successive Causality SNAP-SPAN: Agent causation A substance produces causally a process SPAN-SPAN: Process causation One process causes another process SPAN-SNAP: Causal repercussion A process results in the modification of a substance (always mediated by process causation) SNAP-SNAP: Causal origin One substance is the causal origin of another (mediated by other types of causal relations )

115 115 Successive Causality SNAP-SPAN: Agent causation SPAN-SPAN: Process causation SPAN-SNAP: Causal repercussion SNAP-SNAP: Causal origin do not apply on all levels of granularity

116 116 Our main target: Temporally extended relations Participation (holds between a substance and a process such as an action or a life or history) Realization (holds between dependent continuants and their realizations in processes)

117 117 Substance->Process PARTICIPATION (a species of dependence)

118 118 Participation (SNAP-SPAN) A substance (SNAP) participates in a process (SPAN) A runner participates in a race An organ participates in a sickness

119 119 Axes of variation activity/passivity (  agentive) direct/mediated benefactor/malefactor (  conducive to existence) [MEDICINE]

120 120 SNAP-SPAN Participation Perpetration (+agentive) Initiation Perpetuation Termination Influence Facilitation Hindrance Mediation Patiency (-agentive)

121 121 Substances Mesoscopic reality is divided at its natural joints into substances: animals, bones, rocks, potatoes, brains

122 122 The Ontology of Substances Substances form natural kinds (universals, species + genera)

123 123 Processes Processes merge into one another Process kinds merge into one another … few clean joints either between instances or between types

124 124 Processes t i m e

125 125 Nouns and verbs Substances and processes Continuants and occurrents Endurants and perdurants In preparing an inventory of reality we keep track of these two different categories of entities in two different ways

126 126 Substances and processes t i m e process demand different sorts of inventories

127 127 Substances demand 3-D partonomies space

128 128 Processes demand 4D-partonomies t i m e

129 129 Processes a whistling, a blushing, a speech a run, the warming of this stone

130 130 Processes may have temporal parts The first 5 minutes of my headache is a temporal part of my headache The first game of the match is a temporal part of the whole match

131 131 Substances do not have temporal parts The first 5-minute phase of my existence is not a temporal part of me It is a temporal part of that complex process which is my life

132 132 Substances and processes form two distinct orders of being Substances exist as a whole at every point in time at which they exist at all Processes unfold through time, and are never present in full at any given instant during which they exist. When do both exist to be inventoried together?

133 133 The Four-Dimensionalist Ontology (SPAN) t i m e

134 134 The Time-Stamped Ontology (SNAP) t1t1 t3t3 t2t2 here time exists outside the ontology, as an index or time-stamp

135 135 SNAP and SPAN Substances+(Qualities, Functions, Roles …), and Processes Continuants and Occurrents In preparing an inventory of reality we keep track of these two different categories of entities in two different ways

136 136 Fourdimensionalism denies this – time is just another dimension, analogous to the three spatial dimensions – only processes exist – substances are analyzed away as worms/fibers within the four-dimensional process plenum – there is no change

137 137 There are no substances Bill Clinton does not exist Rather: there exists within the four- dimensional plenum a continuous succession of processes which are similar in Billclintonizing way

138 138 Fourdimensionalism is right in everything it says But incomplete

139 139 It needs to be supplemented Cf. Quantum mechanics: particle vs. wave ontologies

140 140 Two Orthogonal, Complementary Perspectives SNAP and SPAN

141 141 SNAP and SPAN the tumor and its growth the surgeon and the operation the virus and its spread the temperature and its rise the disease and its course the therapy and its application

142 142 Axiom Part-relations never traverse the SNAP- SPAN divide No process is ever part of a substance and vice versa No quality is ever part of a process and vice versa Process and function belong to two different orders of being

143 143 SNAP and SPAN SNAP entities - have continuous existence in time - preserve their identity through change - exist in toto if they exist at all SPAN entities - have temporal parts - unfold themselves phase by phase - exist only in their phases/stages

144 144 SNAP vs. SPAN 1.SNAP: a SNAPshot ontology of endurants existing at a time 2.SPAN: a four-dimensionalist ontology of processes

145 145 You are a substance Your life is a process You are 3-dimensional Your life is 4-dimensional

146 146 Three kinds of SNAP entities 1.Substances 2.Qualities, functions, roles 3.Spatial regions, contexts, niches, environments

147 147 one-place qualities, functions, roles tropes, individual properties (‘abstract particulars’) a blush my knowledge of French the whiteness of this cheese the warmth of this stone

148 148 relational quality John Mary love stand in relations of one-sided dependence to a plurality of substances simultaneously

149 149 SNAP entities provide the principles of individuation/segmentation for SPAN entities No change without some THING or QUALITY which changes identity-based change

150 150 Processes, too, are dependent on substances One-place vs. relational processes One-place processes: getting warmer getting hungrier

151 151 Examples of relational processes kissings, thumps, conversations, dances, Such relational processes join their carriers together into collectives of greater or lesser duration

152 152 Each is a window on that dimension of reality which is visible through the given ontology SNAP and SPAN ontologies are partial only (Realist perspectivalism)

153 153 SNAP: Entities existing in toto at a time

154 154

155 155

156 156 SNAP

157 157 SPAN: Entities extended in time

158 158 SPAN: Entities extended in time

159 159 SPAN: Entities extended in time

160 160 Relations between SNAP and SPAN SNAP-entities participate in processes they have lives, histories

161 161 Realizable Dependent Continuants (Functions, Dispositions, Roles, …) and their Realizations the expression of a function the exercise of a role the execution of a plan the realization of a disposition

162 162 Realizable entities promise debt tendency plan disposition therapy disease Dependent Continuants

163 163 Realizable entities and their realizations expression exercise execution realization application course processes

164 164 Special role of formal relations Only they are represented by predicates in the first-order logic representation of our ontology But what are formal relations?

165 165 Different ontological perspectives SNAP vs SPAN Universals vs. Particulars Different levels of granularity: molecular, cellular, organism...

166 166 A hypothesis (first rough version) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by either SNAP or SPAN because they traverse the SNAP-SPAN divide they glue SNAP and SPAN entities together

167 167 A hypothesis (first rough version) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by either an inventory of universals or an inventory of particulars because they traverse the universal- particular divide they glue universals and particulars together ---- above all instantiation

168 168 A hypothesis (first rough version) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by an ontology on any single level of granularity because they traverse the granular divide they glue together entities on different levels of granularity --- above all parthood

169 169 This generates a first list of formal relations, e.g. dependence, but we find some of these relations also within SNAP or within SNAP

170 170 The idea (modified version) Formal relations are the relations that hold SNAP and SPAN entities/ontologies together and analogous relations … they come for free, they do not add anything to being = they are links between categories

171 171 Example: Ontological Dependence (occurrent, independent continuant): process  substance The erosion of the rock necessitates the existence of the rock (dependent continuant, independent continuant): quality  substance The token redness of the ball necessitates the existence of the ball

172 172 Generating a typology Two main types of formal relations: inter-ontological („transcendental“): obtain between entities of different ontologies intra-ontological: obtain between entities of the same ontology (intra-SNAP, intra- SPAN)

173 173 Three parameters: - the arity of the relation - the types of the relata, expressed as an ordered list, called the signature of the relation - the formal nature of the relation

174 174 Principal Signatures In the binary case: SNAP-SNAP - (SNAP i, SNAP i ), i = i - (SNAP i, SNAP i ), i j SPAN-SPAN SNAP-SPAN SPAN-SNAP

175 175 Transtemporal relations Examples: Genidentity (transtemporal generalization of identity/part-whole) Successive causality

176 176 Genidentity Also SPAN-SPAN? Is there a form of genidentity among processes? The such-as-to-have-come-forth-from relation. Signature: SNAP i -SNAP j Cut a chunk of matter in two, the sum of the remaining pieces is genidentical to the chunk before cutting

177 177 Successive Causality SNAP-SPAN: Agent causation A substance produces causally a process SPAN-SPAN: Process causation One process causes another process SPAN-SNAP: Causal repercussion A process results in the modification of a substance (always mediated by process causation) SNAP-SNAP: Causal origin One substance is the causal origin of another (mediated by other types of causal relations )

178 178 Successive Causality SNAP-SPAN: Agent causation SPAN-SPAN: Process causation SPAN-SNAP: Causal repercussion SNAP-SNAP: Causal origin do not apply on all levels of granularity

179 179 Our main target: Temporally extended relations Participation (holds between a substance and a process such as an action or a life or history) Realization (holds between functions, dispositions, roles … and their occurrent expressions or manifestations)

180 180 Substance->Process PARTICIPATION (a species of dependence)

181 181 Participation (SNAP-SPAN) A substance (SNAP) participates in a process (SPAN) A runner participates in a race An organ participates in a sickness

182 182 Axes of variation activity/passivity (  agentive) direct/mediated benefactor/malefactor (  conducive to existence) [MEDICINE]

183 183 SNAP-SPAN Participation Perpetration (+agentive) Initiation Perpetuation Termination Influence Facilitation Hindrance Mediation Patiency (-agentive)

184 184 Perpetration A substance perpetrates an action (direct and agentive participation in a process): The referee fires the starting-pistol The captain gives the order

185 185 Initiation A substance initiates a process: The referee starts the race The attorney initiates the process of appeal

186 186 Perpetuation A substance sustains a process: The charged filament perpetuates the emission of light The organism perpetuates the process of metabolism

187 187 Termination A substance terminates a process: The operator terminates the projection of the film The judge terminates the imprisonment of the pardoned convict

188 188 Influence A substance (or its quality) has an effect on a process The hilly countryside affects the movement of the troops The politicians influence the course of the war

189 189 Facilitation A substance plays a secondary role in a process (for example by participating in a part or layer of the process) The catalyst provides the chemical conditions for the reaction The traffic-police facilitate our rapid progress to the airport

190 190 Hindrance, prevention A substance has a negative effect on the unfolding of a process (by participating in other processes) The drug hinders the progression of the disease The strikers prevent the airplane from departing

191 191 Mediation A substance plays an indirect role in the unfolding of a process relating other participants: The Norwegians mediate the discussions between the warring parties

192 192 Patiency Dual of agentive participation John kisses [Mary] (John agent) Mary is kissed [by John] (Mary patient)

193 193 Signatures of meta-relations SNAP ComponentSPAN Component Substances Spatial Regions Processuals Processes Events Space-Time Regions Dependent Continuants…

194 194 Signatures of meta-relations SNAP ComponentSPAN Component Substances Dependent Continuants… Space Regions Processuals Processes Events Space-Time Regions

195 195 Signatures of meta-relations SNAP ComponentSPAN Component Substances Space Regions Processuals Processes Events Space-Time Regions Dependent Continuants…

196 196 Signatures of meta-relations SNAP ComponentSPAN Component Substances Space Regions Processuals Processes Events Space-Time Regions Dependent Continuants…

197 197 2nd Family REALIZATION

198 198 Signatures of meta-relations SNAP ComponentSPAN Component Substances Spatial Regions Processuals Processes Events Space-Time Regions participation realization Dependent Continuants…

199 199 Realization (function, role... - >process) A relation between a dependent continuant entity and a process The power to legislate is realized through the passing of a law The role of antibiotics in treating infections is via the killing of bacteria

200 200 Realization (SNAP-SPAN) the execution of a plan, algorithm the expression of a function the exercise of a role the realization of a disposition

201 201 Material examples: performance of a symphony projection of a film expression of an emotion utterance of a sentence application of a therapy course of a disease increase of temperature

202 202 SNAP->SPAN Participation Substance  Process Realization Role  Process

203 203 SPAN -> SNAP Involvement

204 204 SPAN -> SNAP Involvement Creation Sustaining in being Destruction Demarcation Blurring Degradation

205 205 Involvement process -> substance (sometimes the converse of participation): Races involve racers (but not always): Wars involve civilians

206 206 Creation A process brings into being a substance: The declaration of independence creates the new state The work of the potter creates the vase

207 207 Sustaining in being A process sustains in being a substance: The circulation of the blood sustains the body Levying taxes sustains the army

208 208 Degradation A process has negative effects upon a substance Eating sugar contributes to the deterioration of your teeth. The flow of water erodes the rock

209 209 Destruction A process puts a substance out of existence The explosion destroys the car The falling of the vase on the floor breaks it

210 210 Demarcation A process creates (fiat or bona fide) boundaries of substances. The tracing of the area by the surgeon defines a boundary, the incision performed by the surgeon yet another one

211 211 Blurring A process destroys boundaries of substances: The military stand-off creates the no man's land The successful transplant obliterates the boundary between original and grafted tissue

212 212 SNAP-SPAN Participation Perpetration (+agentive) Initiation Perpetuation Termination Influence Facilitation Hindrance Mediation Patiency (-agentive)

213 213 SPAN-SNAP Involvement Creation Sustenance Destruction Continuation Degradation Destruction Creation Demarcation Blurring Qualitative projection Degradation

214 214 The idea (a closer approximation) Formal relations are those relations which are not captured by either the SNAP or the SPAN ontology either because they traverse the SNAP- SPAN divide or because they traverse the granular divide

215 215 Types of Formal Relation Intracategorial Mereological (part) Topological (connected, temporally precedes) Dependency (e.g. functional ?) Intercategorial Inherence (quality of) Location Participation (agent) Dependency (of process on substance) Transcendentals Identity

216 216 A case study Disputes about properties Cf. D.M. Armstrong Universals vs. Tropes Substance/attribute vs. bundles

217 217 Contemporary Bundle views Bundle views 1: bearers of predication are bundles of universals (particularity is ‘constructed’) Bundle views 2: nuclear tropes (adding up to thick particulars) + contingent tropes (reflecting contingent predications)

218 218 Four alternative positions Substance-Attribute plus Universal Properties Bundles with Universal Properties Substance-Attribute plus Tropes Bundles with Tropes

219 219 Armstrong’s own view Substance/attribute + universals Substances are the locus of particularity Universals explain invariance/similarity Plus States of affairs (Both particulars and universals are abstractions from states of affairs)

220 220 Not in a Subject Substantial In a Subject Accidental Said of a Subject Universal, General, Type Second Substances man, horse, mammal Non-substantial Universals whiteness, knowledge Not said of a Subject Particular, Individual, Token First Substances this individual man, this horse this mind, this body Individual Accidents this individual whiteness, knowledge of grammar

221 221 Aristotle’s Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

222 222 Aristotle’s Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

223 223 Aristotle’s Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

224 224 Aristotle’s Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

225 225 Aristotle’s Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

226 226 Refining the Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

227 227 Refining the Ontological Square Substantial Dependent Entities Exercise of power Exercise of function Movement Action Substances Collectives Undetached parts Substantial boundaries Powers Functions Qualities Shapes Occurrents Continuants

228 228 Refining the Ontological Square Substantial Moments (Dependent) Exercise of power Exercise of function Movement Action Substances Collectives Undetached parts Substantial boundaries Powers Functions Qualities Shapes Occurrents Continuants

229 229 Refining the Ontological Square Substantial Dependent Entities Exercise of power Exercise of function Movement Action Processes? Substances Collectives Undetached parts Substantial boundaries Powers Functions Qualities Shapes Moments? Occurrents Continuants

230 230 Refining the Ontological Square Substantial Dependent Entities John‘s reddening John‘s blushing John‘s bruising 4-D Substances Collectives Undetached parts Substantial boundaries John‘s redness John‘s blush John‘s bruise 3-D Occurrents Continuants

231 231 Refining the Ontological Square Substantial Dependent Entities John‘s reddening John‘s blushing John‘s bruising 4-D (perduring) Stuff (Blood, Snow, Tissue) Mixtures Holes John‘s redness John‘s blush John‘s bruise 3-D (enduring) Occurrents Continuants

232 232 A Refined Ontological Square Substantial Dependent Entities John‘s reddening John‘s blushing John‘s bruising 4-D (perduring) Stuff (Blood, Snow, Tissue) Mixtures Holes John‘s redness John‘s blush John‘s bruise 3-D (enduring) Occurrents Continuants

233 233 Aristotle’s Ontological Square SubstantialAccidental Second substance man cat ox Second accident headache sun-tan dread First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

234 234 Some philosophers accept only part of the Aristotelian multi- categorial ontology

235 235 Standard Predicate Logic – F(a), R(a,b)... SubstantialAccidental Attributes F, G, R Individuals a, b, c this, that Universal Particular

236 236 Bicategorial Nominalism SubstantialAccidental First substance this man this cat this ox First accident this headache this sun-tan this dread Universal Particular

237 237 Process Metaphysics SubstantialAccidental Events Processes “Everything is flux” Universal Particular

238 238 The (Aristotelian) Ontological Sextet Substances Qualities, Roles, Functions, …. Processes Universals Substance- universals Dependent Continuant- universals Process- universals Particulars Individual Substances Dependent Continuant- instances Process- instances

239 239 The (Aristotelian) Ontological Sextet Substances Qualities, Functions, Roles … Processes Universals Substance- universals Dependent Continuant -universals, Process- types Particulars Individual Substances (including environments) Dependent Continuant -instances Process- tokens

240 240 The set-theoretical view: Substances Qualities, Functions, Roles … Processes Universals Sets Particulars Elements

241 241 The OWL view: Substances Qualities, Functions, Roles … Processes Universals Classes Particulars Individuals


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