中文摘要：

本体论（ontology）原本是哲学的范畴，近年来在信息科学特别是在知识工程（knowledge engineering）领域受到广泛地关注，其重要性也已在许多方面表现出来并得到广泛认同。通过对国外本体论度其在知识工程和人工智能的应用与发展轨迹，根据大量文献对本体论在知识管理领域的作用、应用与发展做了阐述，并提出了未来的发展前景。

英文摘要：

Ontology falls into the category of philosophy. In recent years, it has been paid exteasive attention to in the area of information technology（ IT）, especially knowledge engineering. It is becoming more and more important in many areas and recognized widely. Firstly, ontology and its application and development in knowledge engineering and artificial intelligence are introduced. Then the role, application and development in knowledge management are expatiated on. Finally, its development perspective is given out.