This paper aims to explore processes and their identity with a focus on the upper ontology Basic Formal Ontology (BFO). We begin with a classification based on two basic classes of changes of independent continuants: changes with respect to a single specifically dependent continuant thereof or with respect to the spatial region that its parts occupy. We accordingly distinguish two kinds of simple processes: specifically dependent continuant changes and spatial changes. Next, we investigate a compositional approach to the identity of processes: the identity of any process is determined by the identity of the simple processes that compose them. Then, we consider a causal approach to the identity of processes with recourse to a dispositional view of processes according to which any process is a realization of some disposition. We also examine assumptions on which these two approaches to the identity of processes are based.

翻译：本文旨在探讨过程及其同一性，重点关注上层本体论——基本形式本体论（BFO）。我们首先基于独立持续体变化的两类基本类型进行分类：相对于其特定依赖性持续体的变化，或相对于其部分所占据空间区域的变化。据此区分两种简单过程：特定依赖性持续体变化和空间变化。接着，我们研究过程同一性的组合方法：任何过程的同一性由其构成简单过程的同一性决定。然后，我们考虑过程同一性的因果方法，借助过程的倾向性观点，即任何过程都是某种倾向性的实现。我们还检验了这两种过程同一性方法所依赖的假设。