=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-1660/ecs-paper4
|storemode=property
|title=A Taxonomy of Questions With Respect to the Universal-Particular Dichotomy
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1660/ecs-paper4.pdf
|volume=Vol-1660
|authors=Dilek Satıoğlu
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/fois/Satioglu16
}}
==A Taxonomy of Questions With Respect to the Universal-Particular Dichotomy==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1660/ecs-paper4.pdf
A Taxonomy of Questions With Respect to
the Universal-Particular Dichotomy
Dilek SATIOGLU
Laboratory for Computational Ontology, MODSIMMER
Middle East Technical University
dilek.satioglu@metu.edu.tr
1. Introduction
The Question Ontology Project aims at providing a philosophical analysis and
categorization of questions. The categorization is based on criteria such as linguistic
patterns, semantic representations, formal structures of questions, and so on. On this
basis, we have devised ten taxonomies of questions. We aim at building a model such
that each question (except rhetorical and ironic ones) could be located in one of those
taxonomies. We also aim at formalizing complexity values for each question, which
would reflect the difficulty to answer a question. By constructing taxonomies and
calculating complexity values of questions, this project aims at supporting scientific
research: When the complexity value of their research question exceeds a manageable
point, scientists can, for instance, change their question into a more manageable one.
This paper presents one of those ten taxonomies named the Universal-Particular
classification. The universal-particular dichotomy is a crucial aspect not only for
philosophy, but also for ontologies [1]. It is not exclusive from our other taxonomies,
and a question may be classified in one of the other taxonomies and still find a place in
this classification. To take a concrete example, an inquiry into Sherlock Holmes can be
classified in a taxonomy of question types, and still be placed in the Universal-
Particular Taxonomy as its feature a fictional character.
2. Methodology
One of the central distinctions in ontology is universal and particular. Universals can be
instantiated whereas particulars are instances (and thus cannot be instantiated) that have
spatiotemporal locations [1]. Moreover, universals should be distinguished from classes,
which are specific groups of particulars. The rationale for this classification is that the
complexity of questions about class of entities has to be different from the complexity
of questions about particulars, and universals cannot be identified with classes.
Our team of the Question Ontology project has constructed this taxonomy by
classifying lists of questions from various fields. This taxonomy encompass three main
branches: (1) universals, (2) classes, and (3) particulars, as well as sub-branches for
each of those branches. We devised this tree with exhaustivity in mind: every question
we considered should be located at some place in the taxonomy.
3. Results
Questions about universals (1) include only general terms that can be instantiated in a
respective particular. These questions do not have spatiotemporal aspects most of the
time (e.g., “What is time?” / “How do you define ‘abstract’?”)
Questions under classes (2) include words that refer to a number of particulars with
common properties or characteristics. This branch has two sub-branches. A question
that includes merely one class is called ‘single class’ (2.1) (e.g., “What is the
population of penguins?”), and a question that includes more than one class related by a
relation of intersection, unification, or completion is called ‘multi-type class’ (2.2) (e.g.,
“What is the ratio of the population of emperor penguins to that of the penguins?”).
Questions about particulars (3) include names of entities that may have
spatiotemporal features. These questions can be about the particulars either in the
singular or plural form. This branch has sub-branches, as well. The questions under
‘etnonym’ (3.1) ask information about folks or population (e.g., “Who are the Maya?”).
The questions under ‘toponym’ (3.2) make inquiries into geographical names (e.g.,
“What is a plateau?”). The ‘cosmonym’ (3.3) questions, on the other hand, require
information about celestial bodies (e.g., “Do we observe the same face of Morning Star
and Evening Star?”). The questions under ‘ktematonym’ (3.4) make inquiry into
institutes (e.g., “What are the benefits of kindergartens for working mothers?”). When
information about pennames, titles, or pseudonym is searched, these questions fall
under ‘nick names’ (3.5) (e.g., “When was Mark Twain born?”). The questions under
‘fictional names’ (3.6), however, ask information about characters of cartoons, movies,
series, and so on (e.g., “If there is a fight among heroes, who wins: Superman or
Batman?”). There might be some questions regarding bodiless entitles, which are under
the sub-branch ‘incorporeal names’ (3.7) (e.g., “Is it possible to communicate with
angels?”). Next, the questions that ask information about human made objects are
under ‘names of artifacts’ (3.8) (e.g., “Could you tell us about Apollo 13?”). Lastly, the
questions under ‘names of living beings’ (3.9) inquire information about humans,
animals, or plants (e.g., “Who is the director of Scent of a Woman?” or “How is Bobi?”,
Bobi is the name given to a cat).
To conclude, due to its inclusive aspect and significance in ontological discussions,
the universal-particular classification is one of the essential parts of the Question
Ontology Project. Further work will ensure the completeness of this taxonomy and
establish specific weights for each node in the taxonomy, in order to quantify the
complexity of questions.
References
[1] Arp, Robert, Barry Smith, and Andrew D. Spear, Building Ontologies with Basic Formal Ontology, the
MIT Press, Cambridge-Massachusetts, 2015.
[2] Hiz, H., Questions, Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht: Holland/ Boston: USA, 1978.
[3] Sloman, Aaron, ‘Towards an ontology for factual questions’, Unpublished manuscript, University of
Birmingham, UK, URL=http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/research/projects/cogaff/misc/question-
ontology.pdf.