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Consequences of a functional account of information

Mann, Stephen (2017) Consequences of a functional account of information. [Preprint]

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Abstract

An interpretation of information in terms of the function of its user is presented and defended. Throughout, the causal interpretation is treated as a foil. The advantages of a functional interpretation are threefold: (1) Traditional emphasis on the indicative aspect of information is supplemented with its counterpart instructional aspect, nudging information closer to the contemporary conception of subpersonal content; (2) An influential distinction between causal and semantic information, argued recently to be misconceived, is further denigrated; (3) Mathematical results adverting to utility are recast in terms of function, justifying the application of information theory in cognitive science, evolutionary biology, and elsewhere.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Mann, Stephenstephenfmann@gmail.com0000-0002-4136-8595
Keywords: Evolutionary biology; Information theory; Sender-receiver framework; Primitive content; Rate distortion theory
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Specific Sciences > Computation/Information
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Depositing User: Dr Stephen Francis Mann
Date Deposited: 01 Sep 2017 14:28
Last Modified: 01 Sep 2017 14:28
Item ID: 13384
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28344.44809
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Specific Sciences > Computation/Information
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Date: 31 August 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/13384

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