Table 1 Selected GFO notions utilized in the current paper

Cat(x)

Category

x is a category, an instantiable entity, independent of time and space

The notion of ape, without further specification to concept. universal, or symbol structure

Conc(x)

x is a concept

x is a concept, an instantiable abstract entity which has a representation in the mind

A particular type of category. The concept of ape is grasped by the mind by a prototypical representation.

Univ(x)

x is a universal

x is an abstract, instantiable entity, existing independent of the mind, is in the real things

A particular type of category. The universal “Ape” is some invariant of reality, Aristotelian category

Symb(x)

x is a symbol structure

x is abstract, instantiable entity, whose instances are tokens

The abstract letter A whose instances are individual characters written or printed on a sheet of paper.

Ind(x)

Individual

x is a non-instantiable entity.

x can be concrete: this car, or abstract: the uniquely determined number π

Cont(x)

x is a Continuant

x is persisting individual exhibiting at time points wholly presented objects

This ball, persisting through time, and having a lifetime

Pres(x)

x is a Presential

x is an individual, being wholly present at a time point. A snapshot of a continuant.

This ball at a certain time point t; a snapshot of the continuant "ball".

Proc(x)

x is a Process

Temporally extended entity, happening in time.

This surgical intervention, with a certain temporal extension, and the surgeon, the patient and other persons as participants.

Sit(x)

x is a situation

x is type of whole existing at a time point, a part of the world, present at a time point which can be comprehended as a whole.

The snapshot of a lecture, including the snapshots of the lecturer, of the participants, the tables, the blackboard, and other entities, that allow to grasp this part of the world as a coherent whole at a certain time point.

Situ(x)

x is a Situoid

x is a temporally extended coherent part of the world that can be comprehended as a whole. It is a processual counterpart of a situation.

The course of a lecture at a certain location, during a certain time interval, and including the lecturer, the participants, the tables, blackboard, and other entities, that allow to grasp this part of the world as a coherent whole.

Rel(x)

x is a relation

x is a category, called relation, whose instances are relators

The father relation VR. An instance of VR is a relator R, being an individual. with two parts: the father role, and the child role.

Relator(x)

x is a relator

x is an cognitive entity, connecting players who play roles, being parts of x

John is father of Mary. There is a relator r, being an instance of the relation VR, r has two parts, being roles: the father role, played by John, and the child role, played by Mary

Role(x)

x is as role

x is a part of a relator, being an instance of a relation

The father role, played by John, father role is a part of a relator, being an instance of the relation VR

Fact(x)

x is a fact

x is an atomic constituant of a situation or situoid

John’s looking at the blackboard (is a constituant of a course of a lecture at a certain location)

Attr(x)

x is an attributive

x is an individual characteristics, trait, or feature, possessed by a bearer

This red r of this apple a.

Prop(x)

x is a property

x is an abstract and instantiable counterpart of an attributive

The abstract colour red, whose instances are individual reds inhering in bearers.

instance_of(x,y)

Instantiation x is instance of y

x is an instance of category y. (this is a primitive relation)

This ape is an instance of the category Ape

part_of(x,y)

x is part of y

x is a part of the entity y (this is primitive relation)

An arm is a part of a human body

has_attr(x,y)

x has attribute y

x has/possesses the attributive y (this is a primitive relation)

This apple x is the bearer of this red y, being an instance of the colour red.

has_prop(x,y)

x has the property y

x has the property y (this is a primitive relation)

This apple x has the colour red y means that there is an instance of the property colour red that inheres in this apple.