The Nature of Knowledge
Following my previous article on Life as a Complex Adaptive System [CAP], it is only natural that I should explore the nature of knowledge in a data-driven context When a CAP acquires data through its sensors [in human beings: our ears, eyes, nose, tongue etc]. it needs to process this mass of data to turn it into information. Information differs from pure data. By being organized in a contextual format, information yields insights. Some of the things the human brain tends to do to data are: Categorization. Human beings are fond of sorting things into pigeon holes. Thus, this is a Monarch butterfly and that is a Swallowtail butterfly. This is an insect and not a reptile because etc etc. Categorization implies groups of objects with common properties. When we categorize, we have fewer objects to deal with and Life becomes more simple. Sometimes categorization can be quite arbitrary. When is a human considered tall or fat, ugly or beautiful? The definitions differ from person to person, ...