Energy is objective: a robust scientific concept described in precise mathematical terms
Atomic doctrine separates material world from perception, even though our understanding is based on observation.
atoms in the void => human senses => theory in brain (should this also be reversed?)
Idea: information connects matter (real) to mind (ideal). E.g.,
Feynman: the atomic hypothesis itself conveys a great deal of intuitive information!
From an operational definition of temperature it took 250 years to understand its real meaning as average speed of molecular constituents.
Science: shape, or (complex) relationship between parts
Literature: patterns of words
Conclusion: form expresses relationships, and therefore information is the transfer of form between mediums. It is not in the symbols themselves, but rather what they can convey by the relationships between them.
Shannnon invents a mathematical formula (unlike the physical apparatus of a thermometer) to measure quantity of information. It is a technical definition which has nothing to say about meaning.
Weaver's assigns three levels of analysis [e.g. 'Fire!']
Analogy to Piaget's stages of mental development
observation-measurement => model-formula => law-principle
1. planetary motion eventually led to general relativity
Both these great theories make unbelievably accurate predictions, but what is a field ? -- perhaps an Aristotelian form based on Principle of Least Action. First formulated by Maupertuis, who felt that the perfection of the universe was made manifest by an economy in nature.
GR: least distance/time (over geodesics)
Life beyond anatomy -- the road to molecular genetics
Can the study of bits reveal the true nature of information?
Weinberg (a particle physicist) refers to this as a petty (component properties) versus grand reductionism (derivation from universal laws).
Anderson (condensed matter) disagrees and says new laws only become evident (or even defined) in the aggregate and emerge from complex systems -- statistical mechanics.
Wilson advocates consilience:
understanding through levels of organization
Can we get from bit all the way to information?
Einstein: equation E = mc2 is from a deterministic theory
Bottom line: certainty Versus doubt
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The Spell of Democritus: Why information will transform physics
Our theories of the world are subjective: all in the mind
The instruments used by natural philosophers were of three types: "mathematical," "optical," and "philosophical." Balances and mint weights were considered mathematical because they measured things, whereas telescopes and microscopes enhanced one's ability to see them. Philosophical instruments referred to electrical machines, air pumps, and other tools that manipulated the environment.
In-Formation: The roots of the concept
Form comes from Platonic archetypes (held in our minds). (cf. sign¹)
Used by Aristotle to assign properties to material things based on whether we perceive them to match these forms. (cf. symbol¹)
Example: horse -- quadrupedalism
Example: in orbital motion it is both spatial and temporal.
Music: temporality of tones
Painting: spatiality of colors
Tentative: a flow of relationships with encoding-decoding.
Counting Bits: The scientific measure of information
Gell-Mann develops IGUS (Information Gathering and Utilizing System) as a formal substitute for the observer in QM, because it is not enough to transfer info from object to subject without noticable changes.
Abstraction: Beyond concrete reality
2. the (apparently retrograde) story of matter eventually led to quantum field theory sitting alongside
QM: least energy (over possible paths)
The Book of Life: Genetic information
Physics: Planck's explanation of thermal radiation based on a quantum hypothesis, followed by Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect (photon)
Mendel discovered mathematical laws of heredity remarkably similar to stoichiometric ratios, which eventually led to postulating a granular explanation:
A clue to the genetic hypothesis was the linearity of chromosomes. Schroedinger estimated one million atoms per gene and predicted a molecular structure to counteract the impermanence of a purely statistical collection.
Data arranged as a linear array of hereditary information!
A Battle Among Giants: Reductionism and emergence
The particulate nature of matter doesn't fully explain its behavior -- what's missing is relationships.
The Oracle of Copenhagen: Science is about information
Bohr: simple model was replaced by indeterministic theory
Is there objective reality? Copenhagen interpretation: NO.
Information is quantified in terms of probabilities. Not about ontology but epistemology (limits to knowledge).
According to Einstein, Science is about ultimate reality.
Director: Liz McCormack -
emccorma@brynmawr.edu
| Faculty Steering Committee
| Secretary: Lisa Kolonay
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, by Center for Science in Society, Bryn Mawr College and Serendip
Last Modified:
Wednesday, 02-May-2018 10:51:19 CDT