Ontological Foundations for Conceptual Modeling with Applications

The main objective of this tutorial is to introduce researchers to the theory and practice of advanced conceptual modeling through the application of a new emerging discipline named Ontology-Driven Conceptual Modeling. In this discipline, theories coming from areas such as Formal Ontology in philosophy, but also Cognitve Science, Philosophical Logics and Linguistics are employed to derive engineering tools (e.g., modeling languages, methodologies, design patterns, model compilers and simulators) for improving the theory and practice of Conceptual Modeling. In particular, here, the expressiveness and relevance of these theories and derived tools are demonstrated through their application to solve some classical and recurrent conceptual modeling problems concerning the well-founded representation of: classification and taxonomic structures, part-whole relations, intrinsic and relational properties, formal and material associations, association specialization, attribute value spaces and roles.