Relator

The «Relator» construct is used to represent truth-makers of material relations, i.e., the “things” that must exist in order for two or more individuals to be connected by material relations. Because of this nature, relators are always dependent on other individuals to exist. Here are some examples of concepts classified as relators:

Relator examples

Note that the «Relator» meta-class is analogous to the «Kind», «Collective» and «Quantity» meta-classes, in the sense that it is rigid and provides an identity principle for its instances. The difference is that, instead of representing functional complexes, quantities or collections, a «Relator» represents the objectification of relational properties. The direct consequence is that relators can also be specialised by subkinds, phases and roles, and generalised by categories and mixins.

Relator application 1

Constraints

C1: A «Relator» must always be connected (directly or indirectly) to at least one relation stereotyped as «Mediation»

Relator forbidden 1

C2: The sum of the minimum cardinalities of the opposite ends of the mediations connected (directly or indirectly) to the «Relator» must be greater or equal to 2.

Relator application 2

C3: A «Relator» cannot have an identity provider («Kind», «Collective», «Quantity», «Relator», «Mode» and «Quantity») as its direct or indirect super-type.

Relator forbidden 2

C4: A «Relator» cannot have types that inherit identity («Subkind», «Role» and «Phase») as its direct or indirect super-type.

Relator forbidden 3

C5: A «Relator» cannot have types that aggregate individuals with different identity principles («Category», «RoleMixin» and «Mixin») as its direct or indirect subtypes.

Relator forbidden 5