The role of foundational ontologies in deep modeling

Given the fundamental role of domain models in software and knowledge engineering, it is important that they be as precise and detailed as possible whilst at the same being simple and easy-to-understand. This presents a challenge, however, because higher precision and detail often lead to more complexity and obscurity. To overcome this tension it is necessary to reconcile approaches focussed on maximizing the richness of domain models with approaches focussed on maximizing their simplicity. The former (richness) is addressed by vocabularies (i.e. sets of linguistic modeling concept (a.k.a. metamodels)) optimized to capture the full range of real world phenomena perceived by human beings. This is the role of foundational (a.k.a. upper level) ontologies such as BWW or UFO. The latter (simplicity) is achieved by modelling infrastructures that allows the basic ingredients of conceptual modelling (classification and generalization) to be expressed with minimum accidental complexity. This is the focus of deep (i.e. multi-level) modelling. In this talk Colin Atkinson will discuss the challenges faced in reconciling the goals of richness and simplicity in conceptual modelling and the benefits that can be gained through a synergetic integration of foundational ontologies and deep modelling.