Abstract: An extension of the description logic SHOIN(D), called PB-SHOIN(D), is proposed to deal with partially believable knowledge with different levels. We defined the syntax and semantic of PB-SHOIN(D), and then studied its properties. It is shown that PB-SHOIN(D) is both paraconsistent and nonmonotonic. PB-SHOIN(D) forms a formal underpinning for the extension of the OWL DL language to deal with partially believable knowledge in the semantic web.

Key words: web ontology language, description logic, partially believable knowledge