a(has_participant)[Domain: process] at(has_participant)[Range: independent continuant that is not a spatial region, specifically dependent continuant, generically dependent continuant] if has_participant at then is an [087-001] ] b c t b occurrent. a(has_participant)[Axiom: if has_participant at then is a [088-001] ] b c t c continuant. a(has_participant)[Axiom: if has_participant at then exists at [089-001] ] b c t c t. if has_participant at & is a b c t c specifically dependent continuant, then there is some that is not a s-depends_on at & independent continuant spatial region d, c d t s-depends_on at [090-003] ] b d t. a(has_participant)[Axiom: if & is a has_participant at b c t c generically dependent continuant, then there is some that is not a and which is such that independent continuant spatial region d, c g-depends on at & s-depends_on at [091-003] ] d t b d t. Thus both specifically and generically dependent entities participate in processes for example when a – file is copied from one hard to another but only the bearers of their specifically dependent via – concretizations. note(spatial region,has_participant)[Spatial regions do not participate in processes.] On the participation of qualities in processes see the treatment of qualitative change, below. Qualities and processes as s-dependent entities The ontological square BFO generalizes Zemach’s idea of a continuant entity by allowing not only (such as pencils and things people) as continuants, but also entities that are on things, such as qualities, and dependent dispositions. BFO thereby draws not merely on Aristotle’s distinction between universals and particulars, but also on his division of substances and accidents, which reappears in BFO as the opposition between independent and dependent continuants.
a(has_participant)[Domain: process] at(has_participant)[Range: independent continuant that is not a spatial region, specifically dependent continuant, generically dependent continuant] if b has_participant c at t then b is an occurrent. [087-001] ] a(has_participant)[Axiom: if b has_participant c at t then c is a continuant. [088-001] ] a(has_participant)[Axiom: if b has_participant c at t then c exists at t. [089-001] ] if b has_participant c at t & c is a specifically dependent continuant, then there is some independent continuant that is not a spatial region d, c s-depends_on d at t & b s-depends_on d at t. [090-003] ] a(has_participant)[Axiom: if b has_participant c at t & c is a generically dependent continuant, then there is some independent continuant that is not a spatial region d, and which is such that c g-depends on d at t & b s-depends_on d at t. [091-003] ] Thus both specifically and generically dependent entities participate in processes – for example when a file is copied from one hard to another – but only via the bearers of their specifically dependent concretizations. note(spatial region,has_participant)[Spatial regions do not participate in processes.] On the participation of qualities in processes see the treatment of qualitative change, below. Qualities and processes as s-dependent entities The ontological square BFO generalizes Zemach’s idea of a continuant entity by allowing not only things (such as pencils and people) as continuants, but also entities that are dependent on things, such as qualities, and dispositions. BFO thereby draws not merely on Aristotle’s distinction between universals and particulars, but also on his division of substances and accidents, which reappears in BFO as the opposition between independent and dependent continuants.
BFO2-Reference.docx