A Unified Theory of Information Requires a Unified Theory of Self-Organisation

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Hofkirchner
Keyword(s):  
Unified Theory ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
Self Organisation

scholarly journals Cognition, Communication, and Co-operation in Living Systems. Biosemiosis in the Context of Self-organisation

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-85
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Hofkirchner ◽  
Günther Ellersdorfer
Keyword(s):  
Living Systems ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Systems ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Individual Branch ◽  
Common Concept ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
The Relationship

In the perspective of an as yet-to-be-developed Unified Theory of Information as part of an as yet-to-be-developed theory of evolutionary systems semiosis plausibly coincides with self-organisation. A concept of sign processes that is flexible enough to perform two functions as follows is everything that is required for this framework. It must relate to the most various manifestations of sign processes, thus enabling a variety of scientific disciplines to use a common concept where it seems appropriate; at the same time, it must be precise enough to fit the unique requirements of any individual branch of science dealing with a concrete manifestation. Different types of sign processes have to be related to, if not derived from (albeit in a nonformal way), different types of self-organisation. The paper illustrates how the relationship between the genus proximum of semiosis in self-organising systems and the differentia specifica of semiosis in biota may be approached.

scholarly journals Cognition, Communication, and Co-operation in Living Systems. Biosemiosis in the Context of Self-organisation

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-85
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Hofkirchner ◽  
Günther Ellersdorfer
Keyword(s):  
Living Systems ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Systems ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Individual Branch ◽  
Common Concept ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
The Relationship

In the perspective of an as yet-to-be-developed Unified Theory of Information as part of an as yet-to-be-developed theory of evolutionary systems semiosis plausibly coincides with self-organisation. A concept of sign processes that is flexible enough to perform two functions as follows is everything that is required for this framework. It must relate to the most various manifestations of sign processes, thus enabling a variety of scientific disciplines to use a common concept where it seems appropriate; at the same time, it must be precise enough to fit the unique requirements of any individual branch of science dealing with a concrete manifestation. Different types of sign processes have to be related to, if not derived from (albeit in a nonformal way), different types of self-organisation. The paper illustrates how the relationship between the genus proximum of semiosis in self-organising systems and the differentia specifica of semiosis in biota may be approached.

scholarly journals Emergent Information. When a Difference Makes a Difference…

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Hofkirchner
Keyword(s):  
The Self ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Information Structures ◽  
Information Processes ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Information Concept ◽  
Do So

Gregory Bateson’s famous saying about information can be looked upon as a good foundation of a Unified Theory of Information (UTI). Section one discusses the hard and the soft science approaches to information. It will be argued that a UTI approach needs to overcome the divide between these approaches and can do so by adopting an historical and logical account of information. Section two gives a system theoretical sketch of such an information concept. It is based upon assuming a co-extension of self-organisation and information. Information is defined as a tripartite relation such that (1) Bateson’s “making a difference” is the build-up of the self-organised order; (2) Bateson’s “difference” that makes the difference is the perturbation that triggers the build-up; (3) Bateson’s difference that is made is made to the system because the perturbation serves a function for the system’s self-organisation. In semiotic terms, (1) a sign (= the self-organised order) relates (2) a signified (= the perturbation) (3) to a signmaker (= the system). In a third section, consequences of this concept for the knowledge about techno-social information processes and information structures will be focused on.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Autopoiesis Theory and Biosemiotics: On Philosophical Suppositions as Bases for a New Information Theory

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 424-433
Author(s):  
Yohei Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Information Theory ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
New Information ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
The Relationship

This paper discusses methodological issues related to a possible framework for a unified theory of information. We concentrate on the relationship between systems theory and semiotics, or to put it more concretely, the relationship between autopoiesis theory and biosemiotics. These theories give rise to two decisive viewpoints on life that seem poten- tially contradictory and consequently provoke a fruitful controversy, which is conducive for the consideration of philosophical suppositions vital for a new information theory. The following three points are derived in the context of basic principles: epistemology rather than ontology, constructivism rather than metaphysics, meta-theoretical recursiveness rather than linear consistency.

scholarly journals How to achieve a unified theory of information

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Hofkirchner
Keyword(s):  
Information Theory ◽  
Unified Theory ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
Ways Of Thinking ◽  
Integrated Information Theory ◽  
Integrated Information

The paper deals with the necessity and feasibility of an integrated information theory. It develops guidelines for how to conceive of information in a way that avoids the pitfalls of certain ways of thinking like reductionism, projectivism or disjunctivism.

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