Difference between revisions of "Information"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Vasubandhu 96541.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Vasubandhu 96541.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | [[Information]], in its most restricted technical sense, is a sequence of [[symbols]] that can be interpreted as a message. [[Information]] can be recorded as signs, or transmitted as signals. [[Information]] is any kind of event that affects the state of a dynamic system. Conceptually, [[information]] is the message (utterance or expression) being conveyed. The meaning of this concept varies in different contexts. Moreover, the concept of [[information]] is closely related to notions of constraint, communication, control, data, form, instruction, [[knowledge]], meaning, understanding, [[mental]] stimuli, pattern, [[perception]], representation, and {{Wiki|entropy}}. | + | [[Information]], in its most restricted technical [[sense]], is a sequence of [[symbols]] that can be interpreted as a message. [[Information]] can be recorded as [[signs]], or transmitted as signals. [[Information]] is any kind of event that affects the [[state]] of a dynamic system. Conceptually, [[information]] is the message (utterance or expression) being conveyed. The meaning of this {{Wiki|concept}} varies in different contexts. Moreover, the {{Wiki|concept}} of [[information]] is closely related to notions of constraint, [[communication]], control, {{Wiki|data}}, [[form]], instruction, [[knowledge]], meaning, [[understanding]], [[mental]] {{Wiki|stimuli}}, pattern, [[perception]], [[representation]], and {{Wiki|entropy}}. |
| − | ===Etymology=== | + | ==={{Wiki|Etymology}}=== |
| − | The English word was apparently derived from the Latin stem ([[information]]-) of the nominative (informatio): this noun is derived from the verb "informare" (to inform) in the sense of "to give form to the [[mind]]", "to [[discipline]]", "instruct", "teach": "Men so wise should go and inform their kings." (1330) Inform itself comes (via French informer) from the Latin verb informare, which means to give form, or to form an idea of. Furthermore, Latin itself already contained the word informatio meaning concept or idea, but the extent to which this may have influenced the development of the word [[information]] in English is not clear. | + | The English [[word]] was apparently derived from the {{Wiki|Latin}} stem ([[information]]-) of the {{Wiki|nominative}} (informatio): this {{Wiki|noun}} is derived from the verb "informare" (to inform) in the [[sense]] of "to give [[form]] to the [[mind]]", "to [[discipline]]", "instruct", "teach": "Men so [[wise]] should go and inform their [[kings]]." (1330) Inform itself comes (via {{Wiki|French}} informer) from the {{Wiki|Latin}} verb informare, which means to give [[form]], or to [[form]] an [[idea]] of. Furthermore, {{Wiki|Latin}} itself already contained the [[word]] informatio meaning {{Wiki|concept}} or [[idea]], but the extent to which this may have influenced the [[development]] of the [[word]] [[information]] in English is not clear. |
| − | The {{Wiki|ancient Greek}} word for form was μορφή (morphe; cf. morph) and also εἶδος (eidos) "kind, idea, shape, set", the latter word was famously used in a technical [[philosophical]] sense by {{Wiki|Plato}} (and later {{Wiki|Aristotle}}) to denote the ideal identity or essence of something (see {{Wiki|Theory of Forms}}). "{{Wiki|Eidos}}" can also be associated with [[thought]], proposition, or even concept. | + | The {{Wiki|ancient Greek}} [[word]] for [[form]] was μορφή (morphe; cf. morph) and also εἶδος (eidos) "kind, [[idea]], shape, set", the [[latter]] [[word]] was famously used in a technical [[philosophical]] [[sense]] by {{Wiki|Plato}} (and later {{Wiki|Aristotle}}) to denote the {{Wiki|ideal}} [[Wikipedia:Identity (social science)|identity]] or [[essence]] of something (see {{Wiki|Theory of Forms}}). "{{Wiki|Eidos}}" can also be associated with [[thought]], proposition, or even {{Wiki|concept}}. |
Read more in [[Wikipedia:Information]] | Read more in [[Wikipedia:Information]] | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:34, 26 February 2016
Information, in its most restricted technical sense, is a sequence of symbols that can be interpreted as a message. Information can be recorded as signs, or transmitted as signals. Information is any kind of event that affects the state of a dynamic system. Conceptually, information is the message (utterance or expression) being conveyed. The meaning of this concept varies in different contexts. Moreover, the concept of information is closely related to notions of constraint, communication, control, data, form, instruction, knowledge, meaning, understanding, mental stimuli, pattern, perception, representation, and entropy.
Etymology
The English word was apparently derived from the Latin stem (information-) of the nominative (informatio): this noun is derived from the verb "informare" (to inform) in the sense of "to give form to the mind", "to discipline", "instruct", "teach": "Men so wise should go and inform their kings." (1330) Inform itself comes (via French informer) from the Latin verb informare, which means to give form, or to form an idea of. Furthermore, Latin itself already contained the word informatio meaning concept or idea, but the extent to which this may have influenced the development of the word information in English is not clear.
The ancient Greek word for form was μορφή (morphe; cf. morph) and also εἶδος (eidos) "kind, idea, shape, set", the latter word was famously used in a technical philosophical sense by Plato (and later Aristotle) to denote the ideal identity or essence of something (see Theory of Forms). "Eidos" can also be associated with thought, proposition, or even concept.
Read more in Wikipedia:Information
