# Tractable Diversity: Scalable Multiperspective Ontology Management via Standpoint EL

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.13187 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.13187/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 2 of its 47 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 25 Feb 2023.

## Builds on (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [How to Agree to Disagree: Managing Ontological Perspectives using Standpoint Logic](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.06793/) (2022)
- [Column-Oriented Datalog Materialization for Large Knowledge Graphs (Extended Technical Report)](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1511.08915/) (2015)

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Towards Propositional KLM-Style Defeasible Standpoint Logics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.04245/) (2024)
- [Pushing the Boundaries of Tractable Multiperspective Reasoning: A Deduction Calculus for Standpoint EL+](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.14323/) (2023)
- [Extending Defeasibility for Propositional Standpoint Logics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.10133/) (2025)
- [Supporting Risk Management for Medical Devices via the Riskman Ontology and Shapes (Preprint)](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.09875/) (2024)
- [Non-Monotonic S4F Standpoint Logic (Extended Version with Proofs)](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2511.10449/) (2025)
- [Standpoint Logics with Defeasible Beliefs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.08503/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The tractability of the lightweight description logic EL has allowed for the construction of large and widely used ontologies that support semantic interoperability. However, comprehensive domains with a broad user base are often at odds with strong axiomatisations otherwise useful for inferencing, since these are usually context-dependent and subject to diverging perspectives. In this paper we introduce Standpoint EL, a multi-modal extension of EL that allows for the integrated representation of domain knowledge relative to diverse, possibly conflicting standpoints (or contexts), which can be hierarchically organised and put in relation to each other. We establish that Standpoint EL still exhibits EL's favourable PTime standard reasoning, whereas introducing additional features like empty standpoints, rigid roles, and nominals makes standard reasoning tasks intractable.