Universality is Inescapable

This paper argues that universal classification systems – that is, systems that are general in coverage – are necessary in an era that values interoperability. Such systems have numerous other advantages. Questions regarding the feasibility of such KOSs can only be addressed empirically. The paper outlines avenues for empirical exploration

Fundamentos ontológicos de la organización del conocimiento: la teoría de los niveles integrativos aplicada al orden de cita

The field of knowledge organization (KO) can be described as composed of the four distinct but connected layers of theory, systems, representation, and application. This paper focuses on the relations between KO theory and KO systems. It is acknowledged how the structure of KO systems is the product of a mixture of ontological, epistemological, and pragmatical factors. However, different systems give different priorities to each factor. A more ontologically-oriented approach, though not offering quick solutions for any particular group of users, will produce systems of wide and long-lasting application as they are based on general, shareable principles. I take the case of the ontological theory of integrative levels, which has been considered as a useful source for general classifications for several decades, and is currently implemented in the Integrative Levels Classification system. The theory produces a sequence of main classes modelling a natural order between phenomena. This order has interesting effects also on other features of the system, like the citation order of concepts within compounds. As it has been shown by facet analytical theory, it is useful that citation order follow a principle of inversion, as compared to the order of the same concepts in the schedules. In the light of integrative levels theory, this principle also acquires an ontological meaning: phenomena of lower level should be cited first, as most often they act as specifications of higher-level ones. This ontological principle should be complemented by consideration of the epistemological treatment of phenomena: in case a lower-level phenomenon is the main theme, it can be promoted to the leading position in the compound subject heading. The integration of these principles is believed to produce optimal results in the ordering of knowledge contents.El campo de la organización del conocimiento puede ser descrito como compuesto de cuatro capas: teoría, sistemas, representación y aplicación. Esta ponencia se centra en las relaciones entre la teoría y los sistemas de organización del conocimiento. Se reconoce que la estructura de los sistemas de organización del conocimiento es producto de una mezcla de factores ontológicos, epistemológicos y pragmáticos. Sin embargo, sistemas diferentes asignan prioridades diferentes a cada factor. Un enfoque más ontológico, aunque no ofrece soluciones rápidas para los grupos particulares de usuarios, sí producirá sistemas de aplicación amplia y de larga duración, al basarse en principios generales y compartidos. Se plantea el caso de la teoría ontológica de los niveles de integración, que ha sido considerada una fuente útil para las clasificaciones generales durante varias décadas, y está siendo actualmente implementada en el sistema Clasificación de Niveles Integradores. Esta teoría produce una secuencia de clases principales modelando un orden natural en los fenómenos. Este orden tiene efectos interesantes también en otras características del sistema, como el orden de cita de los conceptos dentro de los compuestos. Como muestra la teoría analítica de facetas, es útil que el orden de cita siga el principio de inversión, respecto al orden de las tablas. A la luz de la teoría integradora de los niveles, este principio también adquiere un significado ontológico, no solo para las facetas sino también para las relaciones de fase: los fenómenos de nivel superior deberían ser citados primero, pues son relevantes a un mayor nivel de generalidad, mientras que los niveles inferiores frecuentemente juegan el papel de sus componentes. Este principio general, sin embargo, debería complementarse con la noción de tema principal, permitiendo que se pueda promover un fenómeno de nivel inferior a la posición principal en los casos en los que sea el foco principal de documento. La integración de estos principios debería producir resultados óptimos en la ordenación de contenidos de conocimiento

Ontologia informazionale: una visione del mondo come livelli di sistemi informati

This is an evolving short text drafting the main ideas of the author's ontology, before producing special articles on its various aspects. It suggests that the major ontical levels that can be identified in the world -- forms, matter, life, cognition and culture -- all can be described in terms of informational systems that follow combinatorial rules. The emergence of a major level from previous ones is triggered by the appearance of a new kind of memory (genomes, neural systems, symbolic languages). Indeed, each major levels consists of a class of informed systems, which includes a memory subsystem that informs the core subsystem shaped as a model of its environment, in turn interacting with it through the pragmatic subsystems of sensors and effectors. The main classes of phenomena in the world are shortly described and discussed in such terms

Phenomenon-based vs. disciplinary classification: possibilities for evaluating and for mapping

International audienceThe possibility of interdisciplinary research through online library catalogues is today a major challenge for knowledge organization. By examining the different approaches used to index documents in integrated library systems, interdisciplinary researchers may find that classifications based on academic disciplines are less appropriate for this type research when compared with phenomenon-based systems. Based on this consideration, the aim of the present paper was to compare two systems having different conceptual structures: the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), which is based on an epistemological approach, and the Integrative Levels Classification (ILC), based on an ontological one. We also explored how ILC phenomenon classes can be mapped to corresponding DDC disciplines and how DDC can be used in phenomenon-like ways. This work highlights the importance of future studies in phenomenon-based classification for the development of new indexing schemes and for more powerful applications of already existing disciplinary systems and opens a new way for improvement of interdisciplinary research

The Second Edition of the Integrative Levels Classification: Evolution of a KOS

AbstractPurposeThis paper informs about the publication of the second edition of the Integrative Levels Classification (ILC2), a freely-faceted knowledge organization system (KOS), and reviews the main changes that have been introduced as compared to its first edition (ILC1).Design/methodology/approachThe most relevant changes are illustrated, with special reference to those of interest to general classification theory, by means of examples of notation for individual classes and combinations of them.FindingsChanges introduced in ILC2 include: the names and order of some main classes; the development of subclasses for various phenomena, especially quantities and algebraic structures; the order of facet categories and the new category of Disorder; notation for special facets; distinction of the semantical function of facets (attributes) from their syntactic function. The system can be freely accessed online through a PHP browser as well as in SKOS format.Research limitationsOnly a selection of changed classes is discussed for space reasons.Practical implicationsILC1 has been previously applied to the BARTOC directory of KOSs. Update of BARTOC data to ILC2 and application of ILC2 to further information systems are envisaged. Possible methods for reclassifying BARTOC with ILC2 are discussed.OriginalityILC is a newly developed classification system, based on phenomena instead of traditional disciplines and featuring various innovative devices. This paper is an original account of its most recent evolution