Conceptual modelling of temporality and subjectivity as cross-cutting concerns

Abstract

Conceptual models represent the world, but the world changes over time, and is different, to some extent, depending on who you ask. To cater for these aspects, conceptual models must address the representation of temporality and subjectivity. Although some work has been done to incorporate these aspects into conceptual modelling languages, no mainstream language incorporates explicit support for temporality and subjectivity in relation to the existence and predication on the represented entities. In this article, I propose an approach to conceptualising and implementing temporality and subjectivity into conceptual modelling languages as cross-cutting aspects that provide built-in language primitives to the modeller while not imposing any particular manner to represent time or subjects. The approach has been adopted by ConML, a conceptual modelling language geared towards the humanities and social sciences, implemented in the Bundt software tool, and applied to a number of research projects.