Conceptual modelling of large reusable knowledge bases

Abstract

Large amounts of knowledge are available in many knowledge bases for a variety of applications. This knowledge is however usually application specific, and thus not reusable. This paper discusses the problem of making knowledge shareable over applications and reusing it. Three principles are formulated that can form a basis for a methodology for designing sharable knowledge bases. The separation of domain and control knowledge, the explication of meta-models of the domain knowledge (ontologies), and the distinction between ontologies that submit to different classes of assumptions commitments are described as ways of achieving shareable and reusable knowledge bases.