In a previous essay, titled “What is Information?” [1], I provided a definition of information as follows:
If a quantum of action, such as a photon, can be transformed into meaning in the mind, then a quantum of action is a substrate of information. Similarly, if a quantum of vacuum, such as in space with the lowest possible energy, can be transformed into meaning in the mind, then a quantum of vacuum is a substrate of information.
From the above statement, it may be deduced:
a) that quanta of action and vacuum are not information,
b) that quanta of action and vacuum are transformed into meaning exclusively in the mind, and
c) that information is quanta of action and vacuum transformed into meaning in the mind.
In the development of the idea, I used what I called a mind centered model to describe information, where I explained that information exists exclusively in the mind, and, thus, that this model may be part of a subjective theory of information.
However, I did not explain what is meaning.
So, in the same line of reasoning as with the definition of information, I provide here a definition of meaning, in a mind centered way, as follows:
When form [2] does not have to be further processed to map it to an object, and is mapped to an object in the mind, then that form acquires meaning.
From the above statement, it may be deduced:
a) that form mapped to an object is meaning,
b) form mapped to an object is the unit of meaning,
c) the unit of meaning is information, and
d) form that is not mapped to an object has no meaning, thus is not information.
In the rest of this article I will explain this definition.
Model
In the diagram below I present a model of meaning overlapped on the model of information I presented in my previous essay.
The area shaded orange is the environment of the mind, or subjective space, as I called it in the model of information, and the area shaded grey is the external environment, or what I called objective space, where the physical inputs to the mind and outputs from the mind are found.
Below I explain the components of the model of meaning.
Form
When physical inputs; such as light, sound, pressure, temperature, taste, or smell; are captured by the senses, they are communicated and stored as a datum or data in the mind. Data may have form such as colors or shapes. For example, a tree, a can, or the color red.
These kinds of forms may have no meaning as they are not yet processed by logic in the mind.
The absence of data or form may also be processed as meaning or information.
For example, the absence of ground coffee in a can of coffee may mean that more coffee must be bought in the store. Or, the absence of a signal in a battlefield may mean a retreat, or no attack.
Other kinds of data or form may have no meaning, not only because they were not yet processed, but because they are unintelligible.
For example, strange things in reality that are observed for the first time, static noise in a radio, or known symbols, but with no meaning yet because they are not known as presented, such as words in a different language, difficult to understand equations, new symbols, etc.
As explained in the model of information, some information may be recycled as a datum, data, or form to be processed again by logic to give it higher order meaning.
The example provided was a low energy photon, which was, due to previously learned rules, logically interpreted as “the color red”, then as a “one”, and finally as the affirmative term “yes”.
Processing
Processing, is the logical activity of transformation, reduction, or interpretation of a datum, data, or form to map it to objects (see below) in the mind.
Processing may also be inference, deduction, induction, or mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In these cases, forms are mapped to the results of the corresponding logical processes. These results are also objects.
Mapping
Mapping is specifically the action of connecting or associating forms with objects in the mind. For example, the form of a tree in the external environment can be mapped to the object of a tree previously stored in the mind.
As explained above, objects may not only be previously stored, but also be created by inference, deduction, induction, or mathematical operations as forms are processed.
In any case, when forms are connected to objects in the mind, they are mapped to objects.
Object
As explained in my article “The Brain’s Modeling Constraints” [3], the brain stores information as objects in the neocortex.
Objects may be real things like a cup, water, an animal, food, or a car; or they may be abstractions like democracy, God, law, religion, moral rules, experiences, time, or feelings.
Objects can also be actions, rules, or operations like verbs or mathematical operations.
Meaning
When a datum, data, or form are connected to objects in the mind, be them concrete or abstract, then the datum, data, or form acquire meaning.
“Connected” means they are mapped or associated to objects.
A datum or form mapped to an object in the mind is the unit of meaning, and the unit of meaning is information.
When information is further recycled as data to create higher order information, the intermediate states also acquire meaning as they become mapped to higher order objects.
For example, the objects “distance” and “time” are recycled as data or form to logically create a ratio between them (distance/time) which is the object “speed”; then, the object “direction” is added, so the resulting object “velocity” is created; velocity is overlapped again with “time” (distance/time/time), so the object of “acceleration” is created; and so on.
Summary
The model of information says that physical signals in the real world may be captured through the senses and moved to the mind to be stored as data.
When data is processed logically, it may be transformed into information, and then used as output for action, or further transmission, in the physical space.
A datum or data may have form, whether familiar or not. The term “form” is the root for the words “transform” and “information”. This is no coincidence as form is the substrate used to be logically transformed into information.
When form is connected and mapped to objects in the mind, whether concrete or abstract, whether previously stored or created simultaneously during the logical process, then that form acquires meaning.
Therefore, form mapped to an object in the mind is meaning.
References
[1] What is Information? – by Donald McIntyre: https://etherplan.com/2020/11/02/what-is-information/13378/
[2] Form – philosophy – by Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/form-philosophy
[3] The Brain’s Modeling Constraints – by Donald McIntyre: https://etherplan.com/2020/11/10/the-brains-modeling-constraints/13528/
