Circular definitions of delimits and Delimiting Domain

[CarterBeauBenson]

In CCO 2.2 (AgentOntology.ttl), delimits (cco:ont00001864) is defined through is delimited by (cco:ont00001859), which is defined through delimits. Delimiting Domain (cco:ont00001203) is then formally defined as Geospatial Region ⊓ (delimits some Organization).

The property definitions are circular, and the class’s formal definition depends on them. Neither property independently explains what makes a region bound an organization’s authority.

Suggested fix: Give delimits an independent truth-condition—for example, an applicable authorization that establishes the region as the geographic scope of the organization’s authority. The inverse declaration and class restriction can remain.

cco:ont00001864 rdf:type owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "delimits"@en ;
rdfs:domain cco:ont00001203 ;
rdfs:range cco:ont00001180 ;
skos:definition "x delimits y =Def y is delimited by x."@en .

cco:ont00001859 rdf:type owl:ObjectProperty ;
rdfs:label "is delimited by"@en ;
owl:inverseOf cco:ont00001864 ;
rdfs:domain cco:ont00001180 ;
rdfs:range cco:ont00001203 ;
skos:definition "x is_delimited_by y iff x is an instance of Organization and y is an instance of Delimiting Domain and y delimits x."@en .

cco:ont00001203 rdf:type owl:Class ;
rdfs:label "Delimiting Domain"@en ;
rdfs:subClassOf cco:ont00000472 ;
owl:equivalentClass [
rdf:type owl:Class ;
owl:intersectionOf (
cco:ont00000472
[
rdf:type owl:Restriction ;
owl:onProperty cco:ont00001864 ;
owl:someValuesFrom cco:ont00001180
]
)
] ;
skos:definition "A Geospatial Region that delimits the authority of an Organization to exercise its control within the bounded area."@en .

cco:ont00000472 = Geospatial Region
cco:ont00001180 = Organization