Aspects of a systemic philosophy of knowledge: from social facts to data, information and knowledge

Abstract

Considers from a cybernetic point of view, a number of philosophical problems raised by the design and utilization of information systems and knowledge management. Discusses the transformation from facts in social systems, via data and information into knowledge, and the practical use of knowledge, which is defined as the cybernetic strategy of action. This paper is normative and conceptual and the research question posed is: How are social facts transformed into data, data into information, and information into knowledge?

Citation

Johannessen, J., Olaisen, J. and Olsen, B. (2002), "Aspects of a systemic philosophy of knowledge: from social facts to data, information and knowledge", Kybernetes, Vol. 31 No. 7/8, pp. 1099-1120. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920210436363