Reduction and unification in natural language ontology / Kristina Liefke.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Liefke, Kristina, 1983- author.

Series:

Elements in Semantics Series

Cambridge elements. Elements in semantics 2754-0367

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Semantics.

Ontology.

Language and languages--Philosophy.

Language and languages.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (77 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, England : Cambridge University Press, [2024]

Summary:

Semantic theories for natural language assume many different kinds of objects, including (among many others) individuals, properties, events, degrees, and kinds. Formal type-theoretic semantics tames this 'zoo' of objects by assuming only a small number of ontologically primitive categories and by obtaining the objects of all other categories through constructions out of these primitives. This Element surveys arguments for this reduction of semantic categories. It compares the ontological commitments of different such reductions and establishes relations between competing foundational semantic ontologies. In doing so, it yields insights into the requirements on minimal semantic ontologies for natural language and the challenges for semantic ontology engineering

Contents:

Introduction

Descriptive natural language ontology

Merits of typing ontologies

Type theory basics

Typing Montague's ontology

Typing larger ontologies

Type unification and meta-ontology

Conclusion

References

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 18 Dec 2024).

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781009559676

1009559672

9781009559638

100955963X

9781009559683

1009559680