BFO Continuant

Continuants continue to exist though time , they may loose or gain parts, BUT at each point in time at which they exist, they exist completely.

1. BFO: Independent Continuant

1.1 BFO: Material Entity

1.1.1 BFO: Object

Objects are 3D and "maximally selfconnected", which often means that they have a "physical layer" or membrane around. E.g. a human being or a tomato.

1.1.2 BFO: Fiat Object Part

Part of an object, that are not objects itself. E.g. an undetached arm of a human being.

1.1.3 BFO: Object Aggregate

A group of objects. E.g. a dance troupe, a pile of stones.

1.2 BFO: Immaterial Entity

They have a material host. The immaterial entity can change its location, shape and size, as their material host changes.

1.2.1 BFO: Site

A three-dimensional immaterial part of a material entity. E.g. a hole in the interior of a portion of cheese.

1.2.2 BFO: Spatial Region

One- to three- dimensional part of space. E.g. a cube-shaped region of space (three dimensional).

1.2.3 BFO: Continuant Fiat Boundary

A zero- to two- dimensional immaterial boundary of a material entity. E.g. the north pole.

2. BFO: Generically Dependent Continuant

GDCs are dependent on an BFO: Independent Continuant, but not on a specific one. They can be moved from one host to another. E.g. a PDF-File, which can be moved from one device to another.

3. BFO: Specifically Dependent Continuant

SDCs is dependent on a specific Independent Continuant, that is its bearer. It cannot be moved from one bearer to another.

3.1 BFO: Quality

A Quality of an Independent Continuant can be its mass, its color, its shape, ...

3.1.1 BFO: Relational Quality

Some Qualities are Relational Entities. This is the case when they have a plurality of independent bearers, e.g. a marriage bond between two persons.

3.2 BFO: Realizable Entity

Inheres in an independent continuant (bearer) and has to be realised in a process in which the bearer participates. The realizable entity can have periods of actualization and periods of dormancy.

3.2.1 BFO: Role

If a role ceases to exist, its bearer is not physically changed. Examples: The role of a stone in marking a boundary. Being bankrupt.

3.2.2 BFO: Disposition

If a disposition ceases to exist, then its bearer is physically changed. Example: the disposition of a portion of metal to conduct electrons