The Philosophy of Geo-Ontologies

Applied Ontology of Geography

verfasst von: Dr. Timothy Tambassi

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : SpringerBriefs in Geography

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Placed at the intersection among philosophy, geography, and computer science, the domain of investigation of applied ontology of geography ranges from making explicit assumptions and commitments of geography as a discipline, to the theoretical and technical needs of geographical/IT tools, such as GIS and geo-ontologies. Such a domain of investigation represents the central topic of discussion of this book, which intends: 1) to provide an overview of the mutual interactions among the disciplines encompassed in the domain; 2) to discuss notions such as spatial representation, boundaries, and geographical entities that constitute the main focus of the (philosophical) ontology of geography; 3) to propose a geographical classification of geo-ontologies in response to their increasing diffusion within the contemporary debate, as well as to show what ontological categories best systematize their contents. The second edition of the book differs from the first one as it offers a broader analysis of the (philosophical) ontology of geography: an analysis that is no more limited to the theoretical need of geo-ontologies.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Among Computer Science, Philosophy, and Geography: An Ontological Investigation

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. From the Philosophies of Geographies to the Applied Ontology of Geography

Abstract

This chapter pursues two main goals. The first one is to explore the domain of investigation of applied ontology of geography, by providing an overview of the mutual interactions among the disciplines encompassed in the domain, namely philosophy, geography, and computer science. The second goal is to reveal the disconnections, by delineating some possible strategies designed to increase the interdisciplinary dialogue. In accordance with such goals, Sects. 1.1–1.5 respectively examine the connections between philosophy and geography, philosophy and geographies, philosophical ontologies and geographies, computer science and geographies, and philosophical ontologies and IT/computer ontologies. Section 1.6 acknowledges that the domain of research of applied ontology of geography should include, at least, two different kinds of geography: empirical geography and academic geography. Then, Sects. 1.7 and 1.8 point out that philosophical and IT/computer ontologies are more connected to empirical geography than to academic geography. Finally, Sect. 1.9 explores the reasons why academic geography is currently disconnected to the (philosophical) ontological debate, and then Sects. 1.10 and 1.11 outline some possible strategies to provide a way out of the disconnections.

Timothy Tambassi

Chapter 2. The Ontological Background

Abstract

Chapter 1 showed that applied ontology of geography includes four different areas of research, namely: IT/computer ontology, philosophical ontology, empirical geography, and academic geography. In this chapter, we go deep into the analysis of the (kinds of) ontologies behind applied ontology of geography. Sections 2.1–2.3 explores the domain of IT/computer science, within which ontologies are generally conceived as explicit specifications of shared conceptualizations. Sections 2.4 and 2.5 deal with philosophy, more precisely, with the recent proliferation of ontological research in the analytic debate. Finally, Sects. 2.6–2.10 discuss the advancements of ontology of geography, that is that part of philosophical ontology mainly focused on: (1) establishing what geographical entities exist, (2) developing a theory of spatial representation, and (3) explaining how the geographic descriptions of reality emerging from common sense can be combined with those derived from academic geography. This preliminary analysis is meant to provide a helpful framework showing the importance of geographical common-sense conceptualizations and defining how non-expert subjects conceptualize geospatial phenomena in response to a series of different geographical phrased elicitations.

Timothy Tambassi

Systematizing the Geographical World

Frontmatter

Chapter 3. Spatial Representation

Abstract

Chapter 2 argued that the main goals of ontology of geography includes developing a formal theory of spatial representation, with special reference to geographical phenomena. This chapter undertakes to offer an introduction to the theoretical tools needed for advancing such a formal theory. First, we show that the list of tools can include mereology and topology as well as the geo-ontological distinction between classical and non-classical geographies. Second, following Casati et al. (1998), we argue that classical geography describes a robust way of tiling regions in the presence of three general axioms: (1) Every single geographic entity is located at some unique spatial region. (2) Every spatial region has a unique geographic entity located at it. (3) If two entities are located are at the same spatial region, then they are the same entity. Third, we maintain that any geography can be considered as non-classical if it drops and/or adds axioms to those of classical geography. Finally, we showcase some possible issues emerging from the application of the distinction between classical and non-classical geographies to the cartographic representation.

Timothy Tambassi

Chapter 4. Boundaries

Abstract

Chapter 1 argued that the ontological assumptions and commitments of geography include, among others, the notions of geographical entity and boundary. In this chapter, we focus on geographical boundaries, with the aim of analyzing: (1) how the notion of boundary has been conceived by contemporary geo-ontologists; (2) what kinds of geographical boundaries have been identified and categorized; (3) the influence of cultural diversities and human beliefs upon such categorizations. Primarily, we take into account Smith's and Galton's taxonomies as two prominent examples of comprehensive classifications of geographical boundaries. Secondly, starting from Smith and Mark's considerations, the importance of cultural diversities and human beliefs for geo-ontological classifications is discussed. Thirdly, we consider the possibility of the existence of cultural boundaries and the prospect of categorizations that can influence, in their turn, beliefs, culture and individual as well as collective behavior. The idea is to show three different modalities through which culture and beliefs may affect (and have the power to modify) the definition and the individuation of geographical boundaries.

Timothy Tambassi

Chapter 5. Geographical Entities

Abstract

As one of the main aims of applied ontology of geography is to establish what kinds of geographical entities exist, this chapter provides a sketch of possible approaches, response attempts, and issues arising from the question: “What is a geographical entity?”. It is shown how trying to answer this question is made particularly difficult by a multiplicity of aspects that might be summarized as follows: (1) There exist multiple conceptualizations of the geographical world. (2) Different languages and cultures slice such a world in different ways. (3) The geographical world has changed and will change over time. (4) Geography (as a discipline) has changed and will change over time too, by modifying its perspectives, tools, and domains of investigation. Consequently, what was, is, and will be considered as non-geographic can be considered as geographic and vice versa. (5) There were, are, and will be different kinds of geographies as well as different geographical branches, each of which had, has, and will have different tools, aims, and vocabularies. (6) The introduction of new scholarly fields and new technologies, the birth of intellectual movements or paradigm shifts can/will influence geography as a discipline.

Timothy Tambassi

The Philosophy of Geo-Ontologies

Frontmatter

Chapter 6. Geo-Ontologies: From the Spatial Turn to Geographical Taxonomy

Abstract

While by discussing notions of spatial representation, boundaries, and geographical entities Chaps. 3–5 have been essentially speculative, this chapter aims to analyze geo-ontologies as an IT/computer application of the theoretical investigation presented so far. Section 6.1 explores the emergence of geo-ontologies from the spatial turn and sketches their general as well as specific goals. Sections 6.2 and 6.3 are, respectively, dedicated to show the most relevant examples of taxonomies derived from the IT domain and to underline the absence of a classification suitable for spreading geo-ontologies in the geographical debate. Finally, Sect. 6.4 is concerned with outlining a taxonomy grounded on the distinction between spatial, physical, and human geo-ontologies. The idea behind this taxonomy is to relate geo-ontologies to the geographical debate which, in turn, could improve the conceptualizations of such ontologies.

Timothy Tambassi

Chapter 7. Ontological Categories for Geo-Ontologies

Abstract

Despite their recent development (see Chap. 6), geo-ontologies still represent a complicated conundrum for most experts involved in their design. IT/computer scientists use ontologies for describing the meaning of data and their semantics to make information resources built for humans also understandable for artificial agents (see Chap. 2). Geographers pursue conceptualizations that describe the (geographical) domain of interest in a way that should be accessible, informative, and exhaustive for their final recipients (see Chaps. 2 and 6). In this context, philosophers/ontologists should offer conceptual solutions for carving nature at the joints and choosing how to categorize all the entities belonging to the geographical domain. This chapter aims to combine assumptions and requirements coming from these different areas of research, in order to show what categories might complete the current domain of geo-ontologies. The issue is approached by thinking of such a domain as a whole, composed of two different levels of categorization. The first level concerns the IT components shared among different ontologies. The second level deals with contents, for which (philosophical and) geographical analysis can include categories that do not appear at the first level.

Timothy Tambassi

Backmatter

Titel: The Philosophy of Geo-Ontologies
verfasst von: Dr. Timothy Tambassi
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-78145-3
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-78144-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78145-3