Theory and Applications of Ontology: Philosophical Perspectives

Ontology was once understood to be the philosophical inquiry into the structure of reality: the analysis and categorization of 'what there is'. Recently, however, a field called 'ontology' has become part of the rapidly growing research industry in information technology. The two fields have more in common than just their name.

Theory and Applications of Ontology is a two-volume anthology that aims to further an informed discussion about the relationship between ontology in philosophy and ontology in information technology. It fills an important lacuna in cutting-edge research on ontology in both fields, supplying stage-setting overview articles on history and method, presenting directions of current research in either field, and highlighting areas of productive interdisciplinary contact.

Theory and Applications of Ontology: Philosophical Perspectives presents ontology in philosophy in ways that computer scientists are not likely to find elsewhere. The volume offers an overview of current research traditions in ontology, contrasting analytical, phenomenological, and hermeneutic approaches. It introduces the reader to current philosophical research on those categories of everyday and scientific reasoning that are most relevant to present and future research in information technology.

Roberto Poli (B.A. in sociology, with honors, Ph.D. on ontology for knowledge engineers, Utrecht) is editor-in-chief of Axiomathes (Springer), a peer-reviewed academic journal devoted to the study of ontology and cognitive systems, editor of Categories (Ontos), and member of the Academic Board of Directors of the Metanexus Institute, Philadelphia. His research interests include (1) ontology, in both its traditional philosophical understanding and the new, computer-oriented, understanding, (2) the theory of values and the concept of person and (3) anticipatory systems, i.e. system able to take decisions according to their possible future development. Poli has published four books, edited or co-edited more than 20 books or journal's special issues and published more than 150 scientific papers.  He teaches Applied Ethics and Futures Studies at the Faculty of Sociology and gives a course in Ontology at the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy, University of Trento.

Johanna Seibt, Ph. D. (Univ. of Pittsburgh, 1990), Dr. phil. habil. (Univ. of Konstanz, 2005), Associate Professor at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, taught previously at the University of Texas at Austin (1990-2000). Her main interest is in ontology, especially formal process ontology and the history and methodology of ontology. She is main editor of the book series Process Thought and Metaphysical Research, is co-editing the Handbook of Mereology, She has over 60 research publications, including 9 books (monographs and editions) and over 40 articles in international reviewed journals and anthologies. She has given over 70 talks at conferences and departmental lectures (including plenary lectures and lecture series) and received American, German, and Danish grants and awards for her research and teaching.