Knowledge and the Flow of Information

An attempt to develop a theory of knowledge and a philosophy of mind using ideas derived from the mathematical theory of communication developed by Claude Shannon. Information is seen as an objective commodity defined by the dependency relations between distinct events. Knowledge is then analyzed as information caused belief. Perception is the delivery of information caused belief. Perception is the delivery of information in analog form (experience) for conceptual utilization by cognitive mechanisms. The final chapters attempt to develop a theory of meaning (or belief content) by viewing meaning as a certain kind of information-carrying role.

Fred I. Dretske is Nbella and Eloise Maybury Knapp Professor of Philosophy at Stanford University.

Translated into Chinese.

Acknowledgements
Preface

Part I Information

Chapter 1: Communication Theory

Amount of Information Generated
Amount of Information Transmitted
Causality and Information

Chapter 2: Communication and Information

The Ordinary Concept of Information
The Proper Measure of Information
Communication Restrictions on the Flow of Information

Chapter 3: A Semantic Theory of Information

Part II Knowledge and Perception

Chapter 4: Knowledge and Perception
Chapter 5: The Communication Channel

Absolute Concepts
Channel Conditions
Relevant Possibilities and Skepticism

Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception

Analog and Digital Coding
Sensory vs. Cognitive Processes
The Objects of Perception

Part III Meaning and Belief

Chapter 7: Coding and Content
Chapter 8: The Structure of Belief
Chapter 9: Concepts and Meaning

Simple and Complex Concepts
The Informational Origin of Concepts
Innate Concepts

Notes
Index

3/15/99

ISBN (Paperback): 157586195X (9781575861951)
ISBN (electronic): 157586715X (9781575867151)

Knowledge and the Flow of Information

Contents