Theory and Applications of Ontology: Philosophical Perspectives (PDF)

Roberto Poli (B.A. in sociology, with honors, Ph.D. on ontology for knowledge engineers, Utrecht) is editor-in-chief of Axiomathes (Springer), a peer-reviewed academic journal devoted to the study of ontology and cognitive systems, editor of Categories (Ontos), and member of the Academic Board of Directors of the Metanexus Institute, Philadelphia. His research interests include (1) ontology, in both its traditional philosophical understanding and the new, computer-oriented, understanding, (2) the theory of values and the concept of person and (3) anticipatory systems, i.e. system able to take decisions according to their possible future development. Poli has published four books, edited or co-edited more than 20 books or journal's special issues and published more than 150 scientific papers. He teaches Applied Ethics and Futures Studies at the Faculty of Sociology and gives a course in Ontology at the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy, University of Trento.

Johanna Seibt, Ph. D. (Univ. of Pittsburgh, 1990), Dr. phil. habil. (Univ. of Konstanz, 2005), Associate Professor at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, taught previously at the University of Texas at Austin (1990-2000). Her main interest is in ontology, especially formal process ontology and the history and methodology of ontology. She is main editor of the book series Process Thought and Metaphysical Research, is co-editing the Handbook of Mereology, She has over 60 research publications, including 9 books (monographs and editions) and over 40 articles in international reviewed journals and anthologies. She has given over 70 talks at conferences and departmental lectures (including plenary lectures and lecture series) and received American, German, and Danish grants and awards for her research and teaching.