1. Discovery Seminar /UE 141 M – Fall Solving Crimes using Referent Tracking Relations and the killing problem --- the students’ views --- October 22, 2008
Werner CEUSTERS
Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences
Ontology Research Group
University at Buffalo, NY, USA

2. The puzzle
On September 9th, 1935, Carl Austin Weiss shot Senator Huey Long in the Louisiana State Capitol with a .35 calibre pistol. Long died from this wound thirty hours later on September 10th. Weiss, on the other hand, received between thirty-two and sixty .44 and .45 calibre hollow point bullets from Long's agitated bodyguards and died immediately.
Sorensen, R., 1985, "Self-Deception and Scattered Events", Mind, 94:
Questions:
Did Weiss kill Senator Long ?
If so, when did he kill him ?

3. Students found 4 distinct times for the ‘killing’ of Long
Carl Weiss’ living
Weiss’ shooting of Long
Bodyguards’shooting of Weiss
Long’s pathological body reactions
Weiss’s path. body reactions
Senator Long’s living k1 k3 k2 k4

4. Primitive instance-level relationships
c instance_of C at t - a primitive relation between a continuant instance and a class which it instantiates at a specific time
p instance_of P - a primitive relation between a process instance and a class which it instantiates holding independently of time
c part_of c1 at t - a primitive relation between two continuant instances and a time at which the one is part of the other
p part_of p1, r part_of r1 - a primitive relation of parthood, holding independently of time, either between process instances (one a subprocess of the other), or between spatial regions (one a subregion of the other)
c located_in r at t - a primitive relation between a continuant instance, a spatial region which it occupies, and a time
r adjacent_to r1 - a primitive relation of proximity between two disjoint continuants
t earlier t1 - a primitive relation between two times
c derives_from c1 - a primitive relation involving two distinct material continuants c and c1
p has_participant c at t - a primitive relation between a process, a continuant, and a time
p has_agent c at t - a primitive relation between a process, a continuant and a time at which the continuant is causally active in the process

5. S12
K1 and K2 are related through "p has participant c at t" because the process of the shooting of Long starts the continuant of Long's body which is having its pathological body reactions at the time of the end of the shooting.
K1 and K3 are related through "c derives from c1" because the shooting of Long is the c1 where his bodily reactions, c, derive from the shooting.
K1 and K4 are related through "c derives from c1" because the death of Long, c, derives from the shooting of Long by Weiss, c1.
K2 and K3 are related through "r adjacent to r1" because Weiss was shot in close proximity to where he was shooting Long.
K3 and K4 are related through "c located in r at t" because Long's body reactions are located in the same spatial region as when he was pronounced dead.

6. S12
K1 and K2 are related through "p has participant c at t" because the process of the shooting of Long starts the continuant of Long's body which is having its pathological body reactions at the time of the end of the shooting.
What is wrong ?
K1 and K2 are occurrents, and participation holds between occurrent and continuant

7. S12
K1 and K3 are related through "c derives from c1" because the shooting of Long is the c1 where his bodily reactions, c, derive from the shooting.
What is wrong?
Derives-from holds between continuants, not occurrents

8. S12
K1 and K4 are related through "c derives from c1" because the death of Long, c, derives from the shooting of Long by Weiss, c1.
What is wrong?
Derives-from holds between continuants, not occurrents

9. S12
K2 and K3 are related through "r adjacent to r1" because Weiss was shot in close proximity to where he was shooting Long.
What is wrong?
Adjacent-to holds between regions, not occurrents

10. S12
K3 and K4 are related through "c located in r at t" because Long's body reactions are located in the same spatial region as when he was pronounced dead.
What is wrong?
Long’s body reactions are occurrents, and located-in holds only for continuants

11. Good elements in S12’s work:
Right method of analysis was used, but wrong conclusions
Unsatisfactory elements:
Only partial indication, if any at all, for what K1, K2, etc are
Not distinguishing between continuants and occurrents when needed
40%

12. Weiss’ shooting of Long
Right or wrong ?
time
Carl Weiss’ living
Weiss’ shooting of Long
Bodyguards’shooting of Weiss
Long’s pathological body reactions
Weiss’s path. body reactions
Senator Long’s living k1 k3 k2 k4
K1: Killing occurs at the point when the person actually dies, and the physical processes that warrant death cease to exist

13. Weiss’ shooting of Long
Right or wrong ?
time
Carl Weiss’ living
Weiss’ shooting of Long
Bodyguards’shooting of Weiss
Long’s pathological body reactions
Weiss’s path. body reactions
Senator Long’s living k1 k3 k2 k4
K2: Killing is initiated at point of attack and is completed when victim dies

14. Weiss’ shooting of Long
Right or wrong ?
time
Carl Weiss’ living
Weiss’ shooting of Long
Bodyguards’shooting of Weiss
Long’s pathological body reactions
Weiss’s path. body reactions
Senator Long’s living k1 k3 k2 k4
K3: Killing is initiated and completed when bullets strike the body, because the transcendental effects of the assault ultimately lead to death

15. Weiss’ shooting of Long
Right or wrong ?
time
Carl Weiss’ living
Weiss’ shooting of Long
Bodyguards’shooting of Weiss
Long’s pathological body reactions
Weiss’s path. body reactions
Senator Long’s living k1 k3 k2 k4
K4: The "killing" is the actual point of assault, this is the literal definition that presents killing as an act, a verb

16. S8
K1: Killing occurs at the point when the person actually dies, and the physical processes that warrant death cease to exist
K2: Killing is initiated at point of attack and is completed when victim dies
K3: Killing is initiated and completed when bullets strike the body, because the transcendental effects of the assault ultimately lead to death
K4: The "killing" is the actual point of assault, this is the literal definition that presents killing as an act, a verb
RELATIONSHIPS:
K1/K2: c part of c1 at t, p part of p1 r part of r1,
K1/K3: c part of c1 at t, pa part of p1 r part of r1, p has participant c at t
K1/K4: there are no recognizable relationships for me, K1 actually constitutes that someone died, K4 is a literal definition denoting a process
K2/K3: c is an instance of C at t, p instance of P, c located in r at t (?) I feel that K3 can almost be placed seamlessly into
K2, but whether or not the last relationship is acceptable is questionable
K2/K4: c instance of C at t, p has agent c at t
K3/K4: same as previous relationships
What does this mean ? 0%

17. Two major problems. Which one ?
K1 and K2 - c part of c1 at t K3 and K4 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K3 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K4 - p part of p1, r part of r1
Two major problems. Which one ?

18. How do c and c1 relate to K1 and K2?
S14
How do c and c1 relate to K1 and K2?
K1 and K2 - c part of c1 at t K3 and K4 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K3 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K4 - p part of p1, r part of r1

19. S14
K1 and K2 - c part of c1 at t K3 and K4 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K3 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K4 - p part of p1, r part of r1
For the first two, relationships are stated to be between continuants
For the second one, relationship is stated to be for process
Both cannot be true at the same time !

20. S14
K1 and K2 - c part of c1 at t K3 and K4 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K3 - c part of c1 at t K2 and K4 - p part of p1, r part of r1 0%

21. Three major problems. Which one ?
K1-> K2= c instance of C at t
K1-> K3= t earlier t1
K1-> K4= p instance of P
K2-> K3= c part of c1 at t
K2-> K4= p part of p1, r part of r1
K3-> K4= c part of c1 at t
Three major problems. Which one ?

22. No relationship given between c/p/r and k1, k2, …
K1-> K2= c instance of C at t
K1-> K3= t earlier t1
K1-> K4= p instance of P
K2-> K3= c part of c1 at t
K2-> K4= p part of p1, r part of r1
K3-> K4= c part of c1 at t
No relationship given between c/p/r and k1, k2, …

23. All versions of killings are particulars !
K1-> K2= c instance of C at t
K1-> K3= t earlier t1
K1-> K4= p instance of P
K2-> K3= c part of c1 at t
K2-> K4= p part of p1, r part of r1
K3-> K4= c part of c1 at t
All versions of killings are particulars !

24. S1
K1-> K2= c instance of C at t
K1-> K3= t earlier t1
K1-> K4= p instance of P
K2-> K3= c part of c1 at t
K2-> K4= p part of p1, r part of r1
K3-> K4= c part of c1 at t
There are no continuants that can change into occurrents, nor time periods !

25. S1
K1-> K2= c instance of C at t
K1-> K3= t earlier t1
K1-> K4= p instance of P
K2-> K3= c part of c1 at t
K2-> K4= p part of p1, r part of r1
K3-> K4= c part of c1 at t 0%

26. S7 Major problems. Which one ?
I feel like I missed processes but I cannot figure out what they are. I tried as hard as I could and this is all I could come up with:
K1 earlier than K2
K1 earlier than K3
K1 earlier than K4
K2 earlier than K3
K2 earlier than K4
K3 earlier than K4
K3 derives from K2
K4 derives from K3
K2 derives from K1
K1 instance of K2
K3 instance of K4
Major problems.
Which one ?

27. No indication what the letters stand for
I feel like I missed processes but I cannot figure out what they are. I tried as hard as I could and this is all I could come up with:
K1 earlier than K2
K1 earlier than K3
K1 earlier than K4
K2 earlier than K3
K2 earlier than K4
K3 earlier than K4
K3 derives from K2
K4 derives from K3
K2 derives from K1
K1 instance of K2
K3 instance of K4
No indication what the letters stand for

28. Can’t be true at the same time: Earlier holds only for time periods,
I feel like I missed processes but I cannot figure out what they are. I tried as hard as I could and this is all I could come up with:
K1 earlier than K2
K1 earlier than K3
K1 earlier than K4
K2 earlier than K3
K2 earlier than K4
K3 earlier than K4
K3 derives from K2
K4 derives from K3
K2 derives from K1
K1 instance of K2
K3 instance of K4
Can’t be true at the same time:
Earlier holds only for time periods,
derives from only for continuants

29. S7
I feel like I missed processes but I cannot figure out what they are. I tried as hard as I could and this is all I could come up with:
K1 earlier than K2
K1 earlier than K3
K1 earlier than K4
K2 earlier than K3
K2 earlier than K4
K3 earlier than K4
K3 derives from K2
K4 derives from K3
K2 derives from K1
K1 instance of K2
K3 instance of K4
All four interpretations of killings are particulars, so one cannot instantiate the other

30. S7
I feel like I missed processes but I cannot figure out what they are. I tried as hard as I could and this is all I could come up with:
K1 earlier than K2
K1 earlier than K3
K1 earlier than K4
K2 earlier than K3
K2 earlier than K4
K3 earlier than K4
K3 derives from K2
K4 derives from K3
K2 derives from K1
K1 instance of K2
K3 instance of K4 0%

31. S11
K1- Process of Weiss shooting Long
p instance of P (This is independent of time, after it is done he still shot Long)
K2- Bullets entering Long
c instance of C at t (Long is a continuant and at a specific time the bullets enter his body)
K3- Long’s pathological body reactions
p instance of P (This is another concurrent that unfolds in time. His pathological body reactions existed in phases.)
K4- End of Long’s pathological body reactions; Long’s death
c part of c1 at t (this is because at a certain time Long died he went from an concurrent, his life to a continuant his body. This transformation occurred at a specific time)
There are a few good things here, but primarily problems. What is good and bad ?

32. The 4 killings are not related to each other
K1- Process of Weiss shooting Long
p instance of P (This is independent of time, after it is done he still shot Long)
K2- Bullets entering Long
c instance of C at t (Long is a continuant and at a specific time the bullets enter his body)
K3- Long’s pathological body reactions
p instance of P (This is another occurrent that unfolds in time. His pathological body reactions existed in phases.)
K4- End of Long’s pathological body reactions; Long’s death
c part of c1 at t (this is because at a certain time Long died he went from an occurrent, his life to a continuant his body. This transformation occurred at a specific time)
The 4 killings are not related to each other

33. What does p and P stand for ? (similar for other answers)
K1- Process of Weiss shooting Long
p instance of P (This is independent of time, after it is done he still shot Long)
K2- Bullets entering Long
c instance of C at t (Long is a continuant and at a specific time the bullets enter his body)
K3- Long’s pathological body reactions
p instance of P (This is another occurrent that unfolds in time. His pathological body reactions existed in phases.)
K4- End of Long’s pathological body reactions; Long’s death
c part of c1 at t (this is because at a certain time Long died he went from an occurrent, his life to a continuant his body. This transformation occurred at a specific time)
What does p and P stand for ? (similar for other answers)

34. Nothing can transform from an occurrent into a continuant
K1- Process of Weiss shooting Long
p instance of P (This is independent of time, after it is done he still shot Long)
K2- Bullets entering Long
c instance of C at t (Long is a continuant and at a specific time the bullets enter his body)
K3- Long’s pathological body reactions
p instance of P (This is another occurrent that unfolds in time. His pathological body reactions existed in phases.)
K4- End of Long’s pathological body reactions; Long’s death
c part of c1 at t (this is because at a certain time Long died he went from an occurrent, his life to a continuant his body. This transformation occurred at a specific time)
Nothing can transform from an occurrent into a continuant

35. S11 10% K1- Process of Weiss shooting Long K2- Bullets entering Long
p instance of P (This is independent of time, after it is done he still shot Long)
K2- Bullets entering Long
c instance of C at t (Long is a continuant and at a specific time the bullets enter his body)
K3- Long’s pathological body reactions
p instance of P (This is another occurrent that unfolds in time. His pathological body reactions existed in phases.)
K4- End of Long’s pathological body reactions; Long’s death
c part of c1 at t (this is because at a certain time Long died he went from an occurrent, his life to a continuant his body. This transformation occurred at a specific time)
10%

36. S5
More good things than bad things (making abstraction of the fact that ‘c’ rather than ‘p’ is used for occurrents)

37. S5
They are not part of each other, but rather overlap

38. S5
If something derives from something else, the latter doesn’t exist anymore, so can’t be in a parthood relation
Derives is only applicable to continuants, not occurrents

39. S5
60%

40. S2
90%

41. 3 occurrences of 1 ‘serious’ type of mistake. Which one?
90%

42. Homework for in two weeks
No lecture next week (Oct 29), but nevertheless come to class to start making the homework in group.
One student will collect signatures
Task:
identify ALL the particulars in S2’s four definitions of killing, and plot them on the graph (third slide of this presentation)
Indicate for each whether it is an occurrent or continuant
Give numbers to time periods (t1, t2, t3, …) and use these to write all relationships that hold
Submit by before Monday Nov 3, 2008, 10 PM

43. Example
S2’s killing1: “killing is an action that an individual attempts to extinguish life of another, consequences disregarded.”
Particulars:
p1: That killing of Long
c1: Long
c2: Weiss
r1: the region occupied by Long during p1
t1: the time period during which p1 existed …

44. Example (continued) Universals: Relations:
U1: the sort of killing as defined by student2 in S1
U2: person …
Relations:
c1 instance-of U2 at t1
c2 instance-of U2 at t1
p1 has-agent c2 at t1
p2 has-participant c1 at t1
p1 instance-of U1

45. Complete and do the same for the three other definitions
Example (continued)
Complete and do the same for the three other definitions
RE-USE the same symbols for the same entities !
Thus in ALL relationships in which Long is involved, the symbol ‘c1’ should be used for Long.