Conceptual Structures Represent by Conceptual Graphs and Formal Concept Analysis

Abstract. Conceptual Graphs and Formal Concept Analysis have in common basic concerns: the focus on conceptual structures, the use of di-agrams for supporting communication, the orientation by Peirce`s Prag-matism, and the aim of representing and processing knowledge. These concerns open rich possibilities of interplay and integration. We dis-cuss the philosophical foundations of both disciplines, and analyze their speci c qualities. Based on this analysis, we discuss some possible ap-proaches of interplay and integration. 1 Conceptual Structures in Knowledge Representation Conceptual structures in knowledge representation are models (or artifacts) rep-resenting a perceived reality. With computer applications, these models support and delimit the kind of processing that a knowledge system will be able to carry out. Hence, the semantics they carry is of the outmost importance to the sound-ness and completeness of the applications that use them. With Articial Intelli-gence related applications, these models represent human knowledge in a forma