Ontological Modelling of Pain Experience: A Philosophical Affect Theory Approach to Textual Dataset Annotation

this study explores the intricate realm of human pain, aiming to construct an ontological model that seeks to describe, at least in part, a possible structure of this profound and complex phenomenon. Drawing from philosophical insights and diverse scholarly perspectives, it seeks to broaden our understanding of pain’s nuanced dimensions as depicted in textual datasets. The research employs a novel annotation method for pain-related texts, leveraging the depth of understanding ofered by afect theory to enrich the semantic value of the annotations. Our methodology adopts an ontological approach to analyzing written accounts of personal and phenomeno logical experiences of pain, both from individuals currently experiencing pain and those recalling past painful experiences. These annotations form a structured and nuanced dataset that mirrors the complexities of subjective and qualitative human experiences. The study delves into various fundamental aspects of pain experience, such as its temporal, emotional, bodily, evaluative, and semantic-stylistic structure. This enriches the annotation process, providing a robust framework to interpret and account for the multidimensional nature of the pain phenomenon. The fndings unveil a layered and interconnected portrayal of pain experiences, illuminating the complex interplay between afective states, contextual factors, and individual per ceptions. The discussion section contemplates the implications of the ontological model, underscoring its potential applications in various felds, including healthcare and artifcial intelligence. The research underscores the signifcance of integrating philosophical theories into empirical endeavors, demonstrating the value of a multidisciplinary approach in deciphering the complexities of subjective human experiences.