Ontology Web » Ontology http://www.ontologyweb.com Become a triple in the web! Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:10:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Difference between an ontology and a taxonomy? http://www.ontologyweb.com/2009/10/difference-between-an-ontology-and-a-taxonomy/ http://www.ontologyweb.com/2009/10/difference-between-an-ontology-and-a-taxonomy/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:50:38 +0000 Working Ontologist http://www.ontologyweb.com/?p=116 I  am often asked what the differences are between an ontology and a taxonomy. They are often used interchangeable, but what is the real difference?

A taxonomy is a classification of things in a certain domain.An ontology describes the world. Some people think of it as putting the universe in a bottle.

Look at the following example:

TAXONOMY:

Cats
    Related term: Housepets
    Narrower term: tabby cat, black cat, kitten
    Broader term: Housepets

ONTOLOGY:

Cats
    LivesIn: House
    Chases: Mouses
    CrapsOn: Carpeting

Further readings:

]]> http://www.ontologyweb.com/2009/10/difference-between-an-ontology-and-a-taxonomy/feed/ 1