Information retrieval: foundations of a description logic based approach

A Description Logic is presented as an information retrieval model, with three basic features. First, the logic includes the linguistic primitives for modelling documents, queries and domain knowledge in terms of concepts, roles, and assertions on individuals. Second, the logic is given a four-valued semantics that gives to its inference relation the flavour of relevance, that is a strict connection in meaning between the premises and the conclusion of the arguments licensed by the logic. Third, the logic permits the expression of meta-knowledge enforcing a closed-world reading of the knowledge concerning specified individuals and primitive concepts. A modular, rule-based, sound and complete calculus for reasoning in the logic is given, thus establishing the basis for an information retrieval engine.