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Information: Objective or subjective/situational?

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  • Birger Hjørland

Abstract

This article contrasts Bates' understanding of information as an observer–independent phenomenon with an understanding of information as situational, put forward by, among others, Bateson, Yovits, Spang‐Hanssen, Brier, Buckland, Goguen, and Hjørland. The conflict between objective and subjective ways of understanding information corresponds to the conflict between an understanding of information as a thing or a substance versus an understanding of it as a sign. It is a fundamental distinction that involves a whole theory of knowledge, and it has roots back to different metaphors applied in Shannon's information theory. It is argued that a subject‐dependent/situation specific understanding of information is best suited to fulfill the needs in information science and that it is urgent for us to base Information Science (IS; or Library and Information Science, LIS) on this alternative theoretical frame.

Suggested Citation

  • Birger Hjørland, 2007. "Information: Objective or subjective/situational?," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 58(10), pages 1448-1456, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jamist:v:58:y:2007:i:10:p:1448-1456
    DOI: 10.1002/asi.20620
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    Cited by:

    1. Johnson, J. David, 2012. "Knowledge networks: Dilemmas and paradoxes," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 347-353.

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