The Informational Turn

Information is what information does

I was surprised to receive an email today promoting an incipient reading group at The University of Melbourne focusing on theories of information.

Here is some information on the group:

We aim to explore information in all its facets: from the 1950s mathematical theories of information (Shannon and Weaver, Wiener, Cybernetics etc.), to semiotics (Jakobson and Eco) and various contemporary philosophies of information (Dretske, Floridi etc.). Given the way information interfaces with a huge variety of, if not all, knowledge disciplines, a proper engagement with the subject will of necessity be interdisciplinary – all are welcome to attend!

Details for the first reading:

Date and Time: Thursday 11 August, 5pm
Location: Wrigley Room, 1888 Building, The University of Melbourne
Reading: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/information-semantic

Contact me for more information.

Semantic Information Calculator

Ten Years Later

I have recently been reading ‘A Critical Analysis of Floridi’s Theory of Semantic Information’, Pieter Adriaans’ contribution to the special issue of Knowledge, Technology & Policy titled ‘Luciano Floridi’s Philosophy of Technology: Critical Reflections’. This article is indeed quite critical of Floridi’s Theory of Semantic Information.

Floridi responded in turn, and his replies to the contributions can be found in the piece ‘The Philosophy of Information as a Conceptual Framework’.

(more…)

Towards a Theory of Semantic Communication