Theory of information : fundamentality, diversity and unification / Mark Burgin.

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Introduction. 1.1. How do we know what information is? 1.2. Information in society. 1.3. Information in nature. 1.4. Technological aspects of information. 1.5. Structure of the book -- 2. General theory of information. 2.1. Signs, symbols and the world. 2.2. What information is : information ontology. 2.3. How to measure information : information axiology. 2.4. Types and properties of information : information typology. 2.5. Information, data, and knowledge. 2.6. Emotions and information -- 3. Statistical information theory. 3.1. Information and communication. 3.2. Information and entropy. 3.3. Quantum information. 3.4. Information and problem solving. 3.5. Axiomatization of information measurement. 3.6. Information in physics -- 4. Semantic information theory. 4.1. Three dimensions of information. 4.2. Logical approach of Bar-Hillel and Carnap, Hintikka, and others : logic in information. 4.3. Knowledge-base approach of Mackay, Shreider, Brooks, Mizzaro, and others : knowledge from information -- 5. Algorithmic information theory. 5.1. Information, algorithms, and complexity. 5.2. Algorithmic information theory based on recursive algorithms : recursive approach. 5.3. Algorithmic Information theory based on inductive algorithms : inductive approach. 5.4. Conditional information size as a relative information measure : relativistic approach. 5.5. Dual complexity and information measures : axiomatic approach in algorithmic information theory -- 6. Pragmatic information theory. 6.1. Economic approach of Marschak : cost of information. 6.2. Mission-oriented approach : value, cost, and quality of information. 6.3. Transformational approach of Mazur : impetus of information -- 7. Dynamics of information. 7.1. Information flow in the approach of Dretske, Barwise and Seligman : information process. 7.2. Operator approach of Chechkin : information action. 7.3. Information algebra and geometry -- 8. Conclusion.

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This unique volume presents a new approach - the general theory of information - to scientific understanding of information phenomena. Based on a thorough analysis of information processes in nature, technology, and society, as well as on the main directions in information theory, this theory synthesizes existing directions into a unified system. The book explains how this theory opens new kinds of possibilities for information technology, information sciences, computer science, knowledge engineering, psychology, linguistics, social sciences, and education. The book also gives a broad introduction to the main mathematically-based directions in information theory. The general theory of information provides a unified context for existing directions in information studies, making it possible to elaborate on a comprehensive definition of information; explain relations between information, data, and knowledge; and demonstrate how different mathematical models of information and information processes are related. Explanation of information essence and functioning is given, as well as answers to the following questions : how information is related to knowledge and data; how information is modeled by mathematical structures; how these models are used to better understand computers and the Internet, cognition and education, communication and computation.

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