Ontology-Driven Conceptual Modelling

A 4D Extensionalist Approach

The presentation makes the case for using a 4D Extensionalist Ontological Approach to conceptual modelling. It starts by characterising the difficult and costly problems found in mainstream information systems engineering and data modelling. It suggests a possible cause is the absence of sound theories underpinning these activities. It proposes that philosophical ontology can assist in grounding and mapping data to reality via sound ontological theories. It notes that government seems to be starting to adopt foundational ontologies like BORO (e.g., the Information Exchange Standard (IES)) and that educating the next generation is crucial.

Presentation Structure:

- Problem statement and conceptual modelling
- Ontology: a philosophical stance
- Metaphysical choices
- Modelling with different metaphysical choices
- Semantic improvement of legacy data
- Conclusions