Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

196959

Perception and testimony as data providers

Luciano Floridi

pp. 71-95

Abstract

This chapter addresses two questions. First, if knowledge is accounted information, how are we supposed (to apply this analysis in order) to understand perceptual knowledge and knowledge by testimony? In the first part of the chapter, I articulate an answer in terms of a re-interpretation of perception and testimony as data providers rather than full-blown cases of knowledge. Second, if perception and testimony are correctly understood as data providers, how are we supposed (to apply this analysis in order) to understand the semantic value of the data provided by such processes? In the second part of the chapter, I argue in favour of a constructionist hypothesis about how data may become meaningful for human cognitive agents through a process of repurposing of natural data/signals. The conclusion of the chapter is that human agents are natural-born data hackers.

Publication details

Published in:

Ibekwe-San Juan Fidelia, Dousa Thomas M. (2014) Theories of information, communication and knowledge: a multidisciplinary approach. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 71-95

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6973-1_4

Full citation:

Floridi Luciano (2014) „Perception and testimony as data providers“, In: F. Ibekwe-San Juan & T. M. Dousa (eds.), Theories of information, communication and knowledge, Dordrecht, Springer, 71–95.