Contents. Introduction...

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Contents. Introduction..."

Claud Barrett
5 years ago
Views:

1 Contents Introduction xiii Chapter 1. The First Information Theories Introduction The mathematical theory of information by Shannon Beginnings of this theory Shannon s generalization Information and entropy Kolmogorov s algorithmic theory of information Succinct presentation First algorithmic information theory Second algorithmic information theory Delahaye s further developments Gaps Information value Raw information content Pragmatic aspects related to information value Final remarks Chapter 2. Understanding Shannon through Play Introduction The game of tele-balls Layout and rules of the game

2 vi Informational Tracking Producing the source event Channel and transmission Transmission End of the process The teachings of the tele-ball game The concept of tele The technical grounding The system s language Synchronization and the clock Introduction to noise The general diagram of communication/transmission Schematic diagram of a general communication system according to Shannon Extension to information beyond the game of tele-balls Sense and nonsense Electronic media designers at work Conceptual confusion in the so-called information theories Terminological shift Weaver s levels of information Measuring information: the CONTAINER Inaccuracies and easy approximations between content and container Opening to other perspectives Conclusion Chapter 3. Tele before Shannon Introduction The speaking African drums The speaking drums The tone as bit Redundancy The problems of long-distance communication The ancient solutions The telegraph The Morse system Alpha bravo code Conclusion

3 Contents vii Chapter 4. Some Revisions of the Concept of Information Introduction A double-faced concept: Capurro and Hjørland Towards an operational concept An etymological exploration Oppositions and relations, taxonomy and complexity Going on between measurable signal and signifying emergence The Mathematical Theory of Information (MTI) as a starting point: Segal Mathematics rejoining the Human Sciences? A measure for meaningless information A unifying project that bumped into semantics The incursion of information in the Human Sciences Beyond the MTI The Diaphoric Definition of Data (DDD): Floridi Information, data, meaning A definition of information based on data Diaphoric Definition of Data in three levels Diaphorae and saliencies Data as a relational entity Beyond the DDD A pattern-oriented approach (POA): Bates A definition of information based on patterns Discussion Final considerations, with the aim of approaching diverse viewpoints Founding statements for a theory of information Information and meaning Notion of data Notion of signal Notion of information Notion of sense Notion of message Before concluding Conclusion

4 viii Informational Tracking Chapter 5. Conceptualization and Representations Introduction Natural and artifactual devices for producing representations Meaning? Data processing, representation and information! Hierarchization of representational capabilities Computerized artifacts modeling natural devices Human conceptualization The relativity of the object The relativity of appearance qualifiers A rigorous formalization of human conceptualization About what exists in common thought, in natural language and in formal language Concepts: the chair, the table and the beginning Conceptual trompe-l œil Sensory perception and object genesis Kantian philosophy, the real and knowledge The resulting epistemological revolutions Not data, but constructions about the world A relevance horizon-oriented framework The end of truth and objectivity Conclusion Chapter 6. From Captures to Data Introduction An illustrative sketch: a view of the human body The human specimen horizon of relevance, defined by its visible forms The patient horizon of relevance, defined by its symptoms The pathology horizon of relevance, defined by a specialized examination The clinical case horizon of relevance, defined by a debate about the case

5 Contents ix The horizon of Information and Communication Sciences The radical relativity of the viewpoint From the interactional bath to distinction Postulates The supremacy of subjectivity First phase: cut-out in the tissue of indistinct interactions Second phase: generation of an object-entity Diaphoric data and qualification? Description at the heart of the problem A reminder of the diaphoric approach Zero degree: a-conceptual captures From a-conceptual captures to the factory of views Back to the qualifying phase of the object-entity Conclusion Chapter 7. From Data to Aggregates Introduction Data: raw material of the semantic chain Batesonian perspective Informational raw material Third phase: qualification of the object-entity Rigorous formalization of the qualification of an object-entity From capta to data An example: the map and the territory Aggregates: meaningful superstructures Back to patterns: essential data or mental constructions? Back to Gestalt theory Aggregates for scaffolding a point of view Aggregate operations: a basic example Coalescence as the foundation for interpretive scaffolding Conceptual integration Pareidolia for illustrating interpretive scaffolding by coalescence In the end

6 x Informational Tracking 7.4. Meaning: individual production or social construct? A subjective, situational and pragmatic conception A laying-out of incommunicable individual experience Negotiated and shareable meaning Public procedures for legalizing knowledge The horizon of relevance underlying conceptualization Conclusion Chapter 8. Trace Deployment from Indexical Retention to Writing Introduction The trace as registered indexical retention Spectrum: the trace as past retention The Res: inscription in a physical mode of existence Wrapping up The search of the trace as evidence or proof The Studium: the search for meaning in context The Documentum: instruction of the trace process Summarizing The trace as writing The Punctum: writing beyond evidence Some complementary comments before concluding Conclusion Chapter 9. Interpretive Scaffoldings in Context Introduction Information and trace Specter of a real process that took place Retention registered on a medium Qualified by a coherent and credible aggregate Authentified by tracking Traces without information, information without traces?

7 Contents xi 9.3. The horizon of expectation, by Hans Robert Jauss For a reception-centered approach Introduction to the notion of horizon of expectation A generalized cognitive translation of the horizon of expectation Relevance, according to Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson Communication and information according to Sperber and Wilson Taking the context into account The principle of relevance Weaving the horizon of expectation and the theory of relevance Extractions and generalizations Being bound to a horizon of relevance Coalescence considered under the light of a horizon of relevance An ordinary example from everyday life Interpretive aggregate by means of example: visual sense-making Visual captures Aggregate emergence The horizon of relevance, a framework for interpretation Conclusion Chapter 10. Realities under the Watch of Horizons of Relevance Introduction Back to the relation to the Real Truth is a fiction Substituting reality for truth Circumscribing the real versus qualifying the real Interpretive scaffoldings

8 xii Informational Tracking Some examples A sculpture by Camille Claudel A vegetable Cultural modulations of meaning The seeds of discord The windows and their points of view Final considerations Conclusion: legalization of meaning in the age of Digital Humanities Conclusion Bibliography Index

Health Information Technology Standards. Series Editor: Tim Benson

Health Information Technology Standards Series Editor: Tim Benson Tim Benson Principles of Health Interoperability HL7 and SNOMED Second Edition Tim Benson Abies Ltd Hermitage, Thatcham Berkshire UK ISBN