Hello FIS colleagues, I like Igor's suggestion:
“Information is heterogeneity, stable for some definite time”. A simpler general version is Bateson's: "Information is the difference that makes the difference" Best wishes, Gordana ------------------------------------------------ Gordana Dodig Crnkovic, Associate Professor http://www.mrtc.mdh.se/~gdc/ Mälardalen University School of Innovation, Design and Engineering Box 883, SE-721 23 Västerås, Sweden -----Original Message----- From: fis-boun...@listas.unizar.es [mailto:fis-boun...@listas.unizar.es] On Behalf Of Igor Gurevich Sent: den 20 december 2010 12:28 To: Pedro C. Marijuan Cc: fis@listas.unizar.es Subject: Re: [Fis] Closing Comments? Dear Pedro C. Marijuan! Dear Dear Colleagues! DEFINITION OF CONCEPT “INFORMATION” 1) D. Doucette in work “Challenges for Those Constructing a Science of Information as an Evolving Unique Discipline” presented at Fourth International Conference on the Foundations of Information Science: Towards a new science of information (FIS 2010), Beijing, China, 21-24 August 2010 (2010) has defined “Science of Information”: “In establishing the new evolved information discipline, there should be some initial awareness that information is a part of all elements, systems, conditions and is therefore also an integral part of the other individual disciplines and sciences. In studying information phenomena, it is essential to look beyond the limitations of how human use and perceive information, or even how living organisms' uses information. It is proposed that information is a continuous evolving process that exists in some simple to complex form in every stage of development across all science and academia domains as well as being a significant part of everything that exists. Information is a trigger mechanism, emphasis and nutrient for not only information activities but also all physical biological elements, systems and activities”. 2) If we want to create “Science of Information” we must use single, unified, unique definition of the “information” concept. I suggested it [Gurevich I.M. Law of informatics - a basis of researches and designing of complex communication and management systems. (In Russian). «Ecos». Moscow. 1989. 60 p.]. «Information is heterogeneity, stable for some definite time of the arbitrary physical nature. Thereby, a letter in a book, an atom, a molecule, an elementary particle, a star, a drawing, a pattern, a ploughed field, a wood and other heterogeneities contain and carry the information». “Information is heterogeneity, stable for some definite time”. Regardless of the nature of heterogeneity, would be it letters, words, phrases or - elementary particles, atoms, molecules, or - people, groups, societies, etc. The measure of the degree of heterogeneity or information is Shannon's information entropy and other information characteristics (information divergence, joint entropy, communication information). The proposed definition and the Shannon information entropy and other information characteristics can describe information (heterogeneity) of any nature. 3) The definitions of homogeneity and heterogeneity. Consider a set M of elements m. If the elements m are the same, identical (not different from each other), then the set M is homogeneous. If the elements m are not the same, no identical (differing one from other), then the set M is no homogeneous. 4) Types of information. 4.1. Classical information. Time of existence of the heterogeneity is infinite. This is absolutely stable heterogeneity. 4.2. Macroinformation (by Chernavsky). Time of existence of the heterogeneity is not less than the time of existence of the system. This is essentially stable heterogeneity. I4.3. Information. Time of existence of the heterogeneity is less than the time of existence of the system, but more then the time course of processes in the system. This is stable for some definite time heterogeneity. 4.4. Microinformation (by Chernavsky). Time of existence of the heterogeneity is essentially less than the time of existence of the system. This is unstable heterogeneity. [Chernavsky D.S. Synergetics and Information (dynamic information theory). Issue 2-e Corr. and add. Moscow. URSS. (In Russian). 2004. 288 p.]. 5) The information (heterogeneity) is an objective reality. Its existence does not depend on availability of Observer. For example: heterogeneity (elementary particles, atoms, molecules) possess certain information (and physical) characteristics, properties (properties of the first order), in particular they contains certain volume of the information. 6) Availability of Observer can give for the information (heterogeneity) new properties (property of the second order) – perception, content, sense, value, … Note. Information properties of heterogeneity (properties of the first order) determine the fundamental limitations on property of the second order. 7) Observer perceives, locates, remembers the information (heterogeneity). The Observer shapes system of the standards (concepts) describing the information (heterogeneity), perceives the information (heterogeneity) within the limits of the generated system of standards (concepts), shapes language of the description of the information (heterogeneities), describes the information (heterogeneity), classifies the information (heterogeneity), shapes knowledge base, shapes the new information (heterogeneity), makes he information actual (within the limits of the possibilities). Observer is forming mind, intelligence at work on the information. The level of mind, intellect of Observer is defined by volume processed (stored) information and productivity (speed) of work on the information. 8) If there are several Observers, each of which forms his own standards (concepts) the information, shapes language of the description of the information, shapes knowledge base is necessary single, unified, unique definition of the “information” concept. If we use different definitions of information we will receive assessments, results that can not be compared, from which is impossible to generalize. Information can not be adequately interpreted. Best wishes, Igor Gurevich. 2010/12/15 Pedro C. Marijuan <pcmarijuan.i...@aragon.es>: > FIS Friends, > > Like in most of our excursions, in the present one we have stumbled upon a > very interesting and exciting "attractor". Rather than throwing ourselves > into a deep discussion about the modes of social knowing and their > historical interrelationship my suggestion is that we sidestep them and make > some "concluding comments" on the ongoing discussion by coming back to the > final questions of Prof. Zhong (Yixin in our friendly environment!). I will > pen them at the bottom. Concerning the modes of knowledge discussion, next > weeks I will make a proposal in order to have it as our next discussion > session (immediately after this one, or perhaps after another session which > has been tentatively demanded about an "axiomatic approach to information > theory".) > > Let me make another suggestion. In the concluding comments it would be > important trying to be as boldest as possible, as well as hearing new voices > related to neuroscience, cellular-molecular biology, physics, and artificial > intelligence. Thus I kindly demand to the active group of philosophically > oriented parties, and to everybody else, to momentarily keep at bay the > critical comments --only positive reactions (Christmas time!). All parties > who have participated in recent discussions, and particularly the new > arrivals into the list, are cordially invited to reflect their brute > insights on intelligence and information... maybe just penning three or four > lines on a few of the questions below. > > Thus, these were Yixin's questions: > > • What is the correct concept of intelligence? > > • What is the correct concept of information? > > • What is the precise relation between intelligence and information? > > • How do you evaluate the current state of the art in the study of > intelligence science? > > • How do you evaluate the current state of the art in the study of > information science? > > • Do you agree with the statement that intelligence comes from knowledge > and the latter from information? > > • What, do you think, is the feasible mechanism of intelligence growth? > > • Do you think it possible to have information being conversed to > knowledge and even to intelligence? > > best wishes, and season greetings > > ---Pedro > > -- > ------------------------------------------------- > Pedro C. Marijuán > Grupo de Bioinformación / Bioinformation Group > Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud > Avda. Gómez Laguna, 25, Pl. 11ª > 50009 Zaragoza, Spain > Telf: 34 976 71 3526 (& 6818) Fax: 34 976 71 5554 > pcmarijuan.i...@aragon.es > http://sites.google.com/site/pedrocmarijuan/ > ------------------------------------------------- > > _______________________________________________ > fis mailing list > fis@listas.unizar.es > https://webmail.unizar.es/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fis > > -- И.Гуревич _______________________________________________ fis mailing list fis@listas.unizar.es https://webmail.unizar.es/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fis _______________________________________________ fis mailing list fis@listas.unizar.es https://webmail.unizar.es/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fis
