4.3.4 Ontologies Alignment

Alignment between the Perspectivisation ontology and the YOUTH ontology developed within this project.

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The alignment will be presented in a table with two tabs: the left column will display the original semantics from Aldo Gangemi's Perspectivisation Ontology (PERSP), while the right column will describe the reinterpreted semantics of these classes and properties within the YOUTH ontology.

• Eventuality -> YouthSubculture

PERSP

An eventuality is the situation or event being described or reinterpreted. It is the raw occurrence that can be viewed through different lenses to produce different perspectives, explicitly or implicitly extracted from its background knowledge.

Example: In the statement "taxes are investments," the eventuality is "current taxation policies." This is the specific situation or reality being reinterpreted through the lens of investment, shifting the perception of taxes from a mandatory charge to a proactive contribution towards collective growth and future benefits.

YOUTH

A youth subculture represents an "eventuality" in that it is a specific, evolving social phenomenon characterized by its own practices, norms, values, and social structures. As an eventuality, a youth subculture can be observed, described, and interpreted through various lenses, each offering a unique perspective on its significance, impact, and meaning. This understanding acknowledges that a subculture is not static but continuously shaped by both internal dynamics and external perceptions.

Example: The "punk" subculture is an eventuality that can be studied and understood from different viewpoints, reflecting its music, fashion, and anti-establishment values.

• Lens -> InternalViewpoint/ExternalViewpoint

PERSP

Lens refers to the perspective or conceptual framework through which an eventuality is viewed and interpreted. It provides the context, angle, or filter that shapes how the eventuality is understood, highlighting certain aspects while potentially downplaying others. The lens determines the particular way in which meaning is constructed around the eventuality, guiding the process of perspectivisation.

Example: In the statement "taxes are investments," the lens is the concept of investments. This lens frames the understanding of taxes, encouraging a view of them not as mere financial obligations, but as purposeful contributions that yield returns in the form of public goods and services.

YOUTH

The lens represents the specific viewpoint through which a youth subculture is perceived and understood. An internal perspective refers to how members of the subculture perceive themselves and their identity, while an external perspective represents how the subculture is viewed by outsiders. These lenses provide the conceptual framework that shapes the understanding and interpretation of the subculture.

Example: The "goth" subculture might be viewed internally as a celebration of dark aesthetics and individuality (internal perspective), while externally, it might be perceived as a morbid or rebellious group (external perspective).

• Attitude -> PositiveAttitude / NegativeAttitude / NeutralAttitude

PERSP

The attitude refers to the stance, opinion, or emotional state of the agents (the "conceptualisers") who are interpreting an eventuality through a specific lens. The attitude shapes how the lens is applied and thus influences the resulting perspective or "cut." It encompasses the subjective beliefs, feelings, or predispositions that the conceptualisers bring to the act of perspectivisation, affecting the meaning they derive from or attribute to the eventuality.

Example: An attitude could involve the belief that taxes should be viewed positively as investments in public goods, rather than negatively as burdens. This positive stance influences the conceptualisation and leads to a perspective that frames taxes as beneficial contributions to societal well-being.

YOUTH

Attitude in this context refers to the evaluative stance or disposition that is held toward a youth subculture, whether by its members or by outsiders. Depending on whether a particular attitude aligns more closely with the values or stereotypes associated with a subculture, it will take on a positive, negative, or neutral connotation.

Stereotypes are external attitudes such as common beliefs or societal biases, often oversimplified or distorted, held by society about a subculture. Values are the internal attitudes, beliefs, and guiding principles that are upheld by members of the subculture.

Example: The stereotype that members of the "skater" subculture are rebellious slackers (external attitude) contrasts with the value of freedom and creativity that skaters themselves generally hold (internal attitude).

• Background -> Influence

PERSP

Background encompasses the information, context, knowledge or understanding required to interpret the eventuality and the lens. It forms the foundational context that supports the process of perspectivisation by providing the necessary framework for making sense of the perspective shift. Background includes historical, social, cultural, or technical knowledge that informs how a concept or event is reinterpreted.

Example: Understanding the principles of Public Finance - such as the rationale behind current taxation policies - or knowing what investments are and how they function in economics, is part of the background required to conceptualize taxes as investments. This knowledge provides the necessary context to reframe the idea of taxes from being seen as a cost or burden to being viewed as strategic investments in public goods and services.

YOUTH

Background includes the contextual information such as media portrayals, historical backdrop, and societal narratives that influence how a youth subculture is perceived or understood. It shapes both the internal and external perspectives by providing the necessary context for interpreting the subculture.

Example: The portrayal of hip-hop culture in mass media varies widely, from being seen as a vibrant form of artistic expression that speaks to marginalized communities, to being labeled a subversive force associated with crime or social deviance. These portrayals serve as background knowledge that shapes how different audiences - ranging from fans to policymakers - understand and engage with the subculture.

• Cut -> PerspectiveShift

PERSP

This class represents the concept of a "cut" in the cinematic sense. It is the result of a perspectivisation, which is the act of viewing or interpreting an eventuality through a specific lens. A "cut" is the transformed perspective or new view that emerges when an existing idea, event, or phenomenon (an "eventuality") is reinterpreted, akin to how a film cut shifts the viewer's focus or changes the narrative context. A "cut" reshapes understanding by offering an alternative angle or reframing the meaning of the original content.

Example: In the statement "taxes are investments," the "cut" is the new perspective that arises from viewing taxes not just as obligatory payments, but as strategic investments in public goods and future prosperity. This shift in perspective changes how the concept of taxes is understood and discussed, creating a new narrative around their purpose and value.

YOUTH

In the context of youth subcultures, a "cut" represents a change or shift in perspective - how a subculture is reinterpreted or reframed through a specific lens. This aligns with the concept of Perspective Shift, where the perception of a subculture evolves, often influenced by shifts in societal attitudes, new information, or internal developments within the subculture itself.

Example: The "hippie" subculture, originally viewed as a countercultural movement characterized by rebellion and anti-establishment ideals, might be reinterpreted as a transformative social force that had a lasting impact on mainstream culture, such as environmentalism, civil rights, and alternative lifestyles. This represents a shift in perspective from seeing the subculture as merely rebellious to recognizing it as profoundly influential.

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Result of :Perspectivisation x :YOUTH

The youth subcultures context involves understanding a specific subculture (eventuality) as it is perceived through various viewpoints (lenses) shaped by both internal (from members within the subculture) or external points of view (from outsiders). These viewpoints determine distinct interpretations or representations (cuts) of the subculture. The interpretation is influenced by the stance or opinion (attitude) held by different conceptualizers, which can be positive, negative, or neutral. The process of interpretation is also shaped by the background - the contextual information, such as such as media portrayals, social institutions - like family, work, school, home -, personal experiences, educational level, and cultural trends, providing the necessary context for interpreting the subculture.

Examples in Context

Consider the "punk" subculture as an eventuality.

A sociologist (conceptualiser) might view it through the lens of a rebellious youth movement (lens), interpreting it as a form of social resistance against mainstream norms (cut). This interpretation might carry a positive attitude, valuing punk as a vital expression of youth autonomy. The background, including academic studies and theories on subcultures and social movements, influences this perspective.

The blending process creates a new understanding of punk as not only a cultural phenomenon but also a socio-political statement that challenges and reshapes societal expectations.

A punk musician (conceptualiser) might view it through the lens of individualism and authenticity (lens), interpreting it as a rejection of conformity and commercialism (cut). This interpretation might carry a positive attitude, valuing punk as a crucial platform for personal freedom and self-expression, which are key values within the subculture. The background, including their personal experiences and the subculture's ideologies on DIY ethics and resistance to mainstream norms, influences this perspective.

The blending process creates a new understanding of punk as not only a musical genre but also a lifestyle dedicated to challenging societal expectations and celebrating personal autonomy, shaping how both insiders and outsiders perceive its significance and legacy.

A pub owner (conceptualiser) might view it through the lens of disruptive behavior and troublemaking (lens), interpreting it as a source of potential problems and unruliness (cut). This interpretation might carry a negative attitude, seeing punk as a potential liability due to stereotypes of vandalism, noisy demeanor, and provocative appearance, which are common concerns associated with punk groups. The background, including prevailing societal perceptions and past experiences with punk-related disturbances, influences this perspective.

The blending process frames punk not merely as a cultural movement but as a threat to business operations, potentially leading to discrimination against punk members and a reluctance to serve them or allow them entry. This ultimately shapes the pub owner’s overall perception of the subculture's impact on his establishment.

The above interpretations influence how both insiders and outsiders perceive punk's role in social change and its impact on cultural and political discourse.

The result of perspectivisation applied to youth subcultures is not merely a static classification, but a dynamic and blended interpretation of these communities. This blending shapes how the subculture is understood by different audiences and affects its evolution, public reception, and the identity of its members. It can lead to broader societal impacts, such as shifts in cultural norms, policy changes, or the commodification of subcultural symbols and cultural practices.