Traits and taxonomies: A hierarchical classes approach

Abstract

Three types of taxonomy involving traits are discerned. In the first type, traits are objects of trait categories based on trait attributes. In the second type, traits are attributes of persons, person types being categories. In the third type, traits are categories of acts grouped on the basis of act attributes. All three types are analysed and discussed from the perspective of the hierarchical classes model for object by attribute data. Categories are considered external variables that can be mapped onto the object by attribute structure by way of category rules. It is suggested that this conceptual analysis yields a framework for studying how trait terms are understood and used.