Information, data, and knowledge in the cognitive system of the observer

Abstract

PurposeIn line with the cognitive viewpoint on the phenomenon of information, the constructivist tradition based on Maturana and Varela's theory of knowing, and some aspects of Shannon's theory of communication, the purpose of this paper is to shed more light on the role of information, data, and knowledge in the cognitive system (domain) of the observer.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to the literature review, a proposed description of the communication and knowledge acquisition processes within the observer's cognitive system/domain is elaborated.FindingsThe paper recognizes communication and knowledge acquisition as separate processes based on two roles of information within the observer's cognitive system, which are emphasized. The first role is connected with the appropriate communication aspects of Shannon's theory related to encoding cognitive entities in the cognitive domain as data representations for calculating their informativeness. The second role involves establishing relations between cognitive entities encoded as data representations through the knowledge acquisition process in the observer's cognitive domain.Originality/valueIn this way, according to the cognitive viewpoint, communication and knowledge acquisition processes are recognized as important aspects of the cognitive process as a whole. In line with such a theoretical approach, the paper seeks to provide an extension of Shannon's original idea, intending to involve the observer's knowledge structure as an important framework for the deepening of information theory.

Broadening the field of information

“…But, on the other hand, other interpretations can also come into play. It can also be said that information is a property of data, that is, its informativeness, as is done in some other theoretical approaches (Bosancic, 2020, p. 900). It does not matter which theoretical approach is chosen if both work in a practical sense within the framework of Shannon's theory.…”

“…In addition to uniqueness, the represented information on the carrier is connected to other represented information through certain relations that provide them with context and meaning. What is written on a clay tablet is not informative regarding the amount of information that is calculated in relation to the frequency of individual signs, words, numbers or symbols on the sender carrier, but in relation to the number of established relations with other ‘written information’ on the carrier recipients (Bosancic, 2020, p. 900). We recognize such structures in which information is interconnected by relations, no longer as data structures, but as knowledge structures.…”

“…After Shannon showed how to calculate the amount of information that each piece of data receives in relation to the data structure on the sender's carrier, now it is necessary to determine the informative value of each incoming piece of data in relation to the receiver's knowledge structure. If such a piece of data is not able to realize (achieve) any relation with the existing content within the structure of the recipient's knowledge, then it cannot be considered as information from the recipient's perspective and vice versa (Bosancic, 2020, p. 901).…”