A Unified Theory of Information

A Unified A Unified Theory of InformationTheory of Information

Information based upon Self-Organisation

Wolfgang Hofkirchner

Vienna University of Technology

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A New Information ConceptA New Information Concept

1. Requirements2. Concepts3. The Unifying Perspective

3.1 Information (in general)3.2 Information (concrete)

3.2.1 Dimensions 3.2.2 Types 3.2.3 Categories (Dimensions and Types Cross-

Tabled)

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1 Requirements for 1 Requirements for a Unified Concepta Unified Concept

A flexible, unity-in-diversity-like concept is needed

• as general as necessary to comprise the whole diversity of manifestations (genus proximum)

• as concrete as possible to fit the most particular manifestation (differentia specifica)

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2 Information Concepts2 Information Concepts

Cognition Communication Co-operation

Science and technology perspective

Information is a “thing” that is...

received and processed

transmitted stored and retrieved

Humanities perspective

Or is constructed by actors...

internally interactionally externally

Unifying perspective

It emerges whenever systems relate to...

their umwelt each other their supersystem

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3 The Unifying Perspective3 The Unifying Perspective

Information-generating systems are self-organising systems

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3.1 Information (in general)3.1 Information (in general)

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: a self-organising system– The difference outside: a change in the

“control parameter” (critical value)– The difference inside: a change in the

“order parameter” brought about by the very process of self-organisation

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Self-Organisation Termsin Self-Organisation Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Self-Organisation Termsin Self-Organisation Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: a self-organising system

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Self-Organisation Termsin Self-Organisation Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: a self-organising system– The difference outside: a change in the

“control parameter” (critical value)

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Self-Organisation Termsin Self-Organisation Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: a self-organising system– The difference outside: a change in the

“control parameter” (critical value)– The difference inside: a change in the

“order parameter” brought about by the very process of self-organisation

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Semiotic Termsin Semiotic Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Semiotic Termsin Semiotic Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: the signmaker (signator)

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Semiotic Termsin Semiotic Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: the signmaker (signator)– The difference outside: the “object” to

be/signified (signandum/signatum)

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3.1 Information (in general) 3.1 Information (in general) in Semiotic Termsin Semiotic Terms

The system allows a difference in its environment/co-systems/supersystem to make a difference to itself– The system: the signmaker (signator)– The difference outside: the “object” to

be/signified (signandum/signatum)– The difference inside: the sign (signans)

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3.2 Information (concrete)3.2 Information (concrete)

Information processes vary due to the respective self-organisation process:

1. Dimensions

2. Types

3. Categories (dimensions and types cross-tabled)

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3.2.1 Dimensions:3.2.1 Dimensions:

Self-organisation Dimensions:

– Individual– Interactional– Integrational

Information Generation Dimensions:1. Cognitive

2. Communicative

3. Co-operative

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3.2.1 Dimensions:3.2.1 Dimensions:Process of Self-OrganisationProcess of Self-Organisation

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3.2.1 Dimensions:3.2.1 Dimensions:Cognitive InformationCognitive Information

UM-WELT

signandum/signatum = object

SYSTEM

signator

sig-nans

Self-Or-

ganisation

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3.2.1 Dimensions:3.2.1 Dimensions:Communicative InformationCommunicative Information

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3.2.1 Dimensions:3.2.1 Dimensions:Co-operative InformationCo-operative Information

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3.2.2 Types3.2.2 Types

Self-organisation Types:– Dissipation– Autopoiesis

– Re-creation

Information Generation Types:1. Pattern Formation

2. Formation of Survival Functions

3. Formation of HumanExpectations

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3.2.2 Types:3.2.2 Types:Pattern FormationPattern Formation

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3.2.2 Types: Formation of 3.2.2 Types: Formation of (Survival) Functions(Survival) Functions

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3.2.2 Types: Formation of 3.2.2 Types: Formation of (Human) Expectations(Human) Expectations

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3.2.3 Categories3.2.3 Categories

Pattern Formation Ability

Ability to Form Functions

Ability to Form Expectations

Cogni-sability

Reflectivity Psyche Conscious-ness

Communi-cability

Coherency Signalability Language-ability

Co-operability

Cohesive-ness

Organicity Sociability

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3.2.3 Cognisability3.2.3 Cognisability

• In dissipative systemsReflectivity: “REFLECTION” (protosemiotic echoes)

• In autopoietic systems Psyche: “FLEXIBLE RESPONSE” (parasyntactic sensation – para-semanticopragmatic motivation)

• In re-creative systems Consciousness: “IDEA” (syntactic data – semantic knowledge – pragmatic wisdom)

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3.2.3 Communicability3.2.3 Communicability

• In dissipative systemsCoherency: “COHERENCE”(protosemiotic resonances)

• In autopoietic systems Signalability: “ANTICIPATION” (para-syntactic re-presentation – para-semanticopragmatic reorientation)

• In re-creative systems Languageability: “UNDERSTANDING” (syntactic expressive tuning – semantic indicative tuning – pragmatic appellative tuning)

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3.2.3 Co-operability3.2.3 Co-operability

• In dissipative systemsCohesiveness: “COHESION” (protosemiotic collectives)

• In autopoietic systems Organicity: “ORGANIC ORGANISATION” (para-syntactic specialisation – para-semanticopragmatic complementation)

• In re-creative systems Sociability: “SENSE” (syntactic coordination – semantic collaboration – pragmatic consensualisation)