Abstractions in temporal information

摘要

Three prevalent abstractions in temporal information are examined by using the machinery of first order logic. The abstraction of time allows one to concentrate on temporal objects only as they relate to other temporal objects in time. It is represented by a functional relationship between temporal objects and time intervals. The abstraction of identity allows one to concentrate on how an observed phenomenon relates to other phenomena in terms of their being manifestations of the same object. It is represented by a functional relationship between temporal phenomena and “completed” temporal objects. The abstraction of circumstance embodies a focus of attention on particular configurations or states of groups of temporal phenomena. It is represented by functional relationships between thesis groups and other objects called “events” or “states”.A novel concept, called absolute/relative abstraction, is used to formalize the abstractions of time and identity. The abstraction of circumstance, on the other hand, is an example of aggregation. The significance and use of thesis abstractions in the representation and processing of historical information is discussed.