A Note on the Theory of Classification

Abstract

From the analysis of the subject-matter of chemistry, B. C. Vickery proposes eight categories of substantives : personality, part, substance, action, property, operation, space, and time (ref. 1). Examining the possible facets in physics, the writer suggests that Vickery’s proposal may be revised as follows :
　(1) It may be correct to have one more category : ‘structure’, e. g. atomic structure, which is somewhat different from the categories : action, property, or operation, though all of them derive from Ranganathan’s energy facet.
　(2) It seems necessary to divide a basic category ‘phenomenon’ (Vickery’s action) into two categories: ‘self-movement’ and ‘interaction’. When the electric current flows through the conductor, no remarkable change can be found in the surroundings (conductor). The electric current is regarded as a kind of self-movement. If the motion of a thing affects the behavior of the other thing, it is considered to be an interaction. The category ‘interaction’ may be subdivided into ‘effect’ and ‘react on’ as proposed by Vickery (ref. 1).
The present writer also suggests to introduce the concept of ‘dependent facet’. Suppose that the classification symbol for the electric current is C 62, and C 62 : 6 for the electric conduction. Under the electric conduction it is necessary to prepare a personality facet as follows :
　　C 62 : 6 : 31 　Conductor
　　C 62 : 6 : 32 　Semi-conductor
　　C 62 : 6 : 33 　Insulator
In spite of Ranganathan’s principle of decreasing concreteness (ref.2), there appears the personality facet following the energy (self-movement) facet apart from which we cannot discuss the members of the former facet.
References
I. Vickery, B. C. Systematic subject indexing. J. Document. vol. 9, 1953, pp. 48-57.
2. Ranganathan, S. R. Philosophy of library classification. Copenhagen, Ejnar Munksgaard, 1951.