Mann, Stephen (2017) Consequences of a functional account of information. [Preprint]
This is the latest version of this item.
|
Text
functionalinfo.pdf Download (206kB) | Preview |
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.
| Export/Citation: | EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL |
| Social Networking: |
| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creators: |
|
||||||
| 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: | 19 Jul 2018 20:46 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 19 Jul 2018 20:46 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 14887 | ||||||
| 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/14887 |
Available Versions of this Item
-
Consequences of a functional account of information. (deposited 01 Sep 2017 14:28)
- Consequences of a functional account of information. (deposited 19 Jul 2018 20:46) [Currently Displayed]
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Altmetric.com
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}