Meaning = Information + Evolution

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on Carlo Rovelli's paper "Meaning = Information + Evolution," which proposes a physical definition of meaningful information that connects physical processes to concepts of meaning, signal, and intentionality. The work builds on models by Kolchinsky and Wolpert and enhances Dretske's theories regarding knowledge and information. Rovelli asserts that meaningful information has a Darwinian evolutionary origin, serving as a foundational link between the physical world and the realms of meaning, purpose, and value.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Darwinian evolution and its implications for information theory
  • Familiarity with concepts of signal processing in physical systems
  • Knowledge of Dretske's theories on knowledge and information
  • Basic comprehension of philosophical discussions surrounding meaning and intentionality
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Kolchinsky and Wolpert's models on information theory
  • Explore Dretske's work on the relationship between knowledge and information
  • Investigate the implications of Darwinian evolution on information processing
  • Examine the philosophical aspects of meaning and intentionality in scientific contexts
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in theoretical physics, philosophers of science, and anyone interested in the intersection of information theory and evolutionary biology.

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This paper offers a "first link of a chain", bridging physical and, psychological or linguistically, mental notions of meaningful information.

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1611.02420.pdf
Meaning = Information + Evolution

Carlo Rovelli

CPT, Aix-Marseille Universit ́e, Universit ́e de Toulon, CNRS, F-13288 Marseille, France.

Notions like meaning, signal, intentionality, are difficult to relate to a physical word. I study a purely physical definition of “meaningful information”, from which these notions can be derived. It is inspired by a model recently illustrated by Kolchinsky and Wolpert, and improves on Dretske classic work on the relation between knowledge and information. I discuss what makes a physical process into a “signal”.

A quote from the paper- "The semantic notions of information and meaning are ul- timately tied to their Darwinian evolutionary origin. The suggestion is that the notion of meaningful information serves as a ground for the foundation of meaning. That is, it could offer the link between the purely physical world and the world of meaning, purpose, intentionality and value. It could bridge the gap."
 
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Although this is a good paper, we no longer host discussions of a philosophical nature. The thread will remain closed.
 

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