Cell Language Theory, The: Connecting Mind And Matter

20 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter

b2861 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter “6x9”

2.3 Burgin’s Parametric Definition of Information

Burgin [37] proposed a new method of defining information that is differ­

ent from previous definitions of information in that it is based on the use

of parameters called “infological system” [39]. The basic properties of

information, according to Burgin, can be represented in terms of “onto­

logical principles”.

Ontological Principle O1 (the Locality Principle):

It is necessary to separate information in general (i.e., general

information; my addition) from a portion of information (i.e., special

information; my addition) for system R.

Ontological Principle O2 (the General Transformation Principle):

In a broad sense, information for a system R is a capacity to cause

changes in the system R.

Ontological Principle O2g (the Relativized Transformation Principle):

Information for a system R relative to the infological system IF(R) is

a capacity to cause changes in the system IF(R).

“Infological system” IF(R) is the free parameter in Burgin’s general

theory of information, similar to the free parameters, A, B, and C in

Planckian distribution equation (PDE) (see Section 8.1). IF(R) allows

Burgin’s general theory of information to represent diverse kinds and

types of information, just as PDE can represent many different kinds of

long­tailed histograms (see Section 8.3).

2.4 Complementarity vs. Supplementarity

The term “complementary” first appeared in William James’ book,

Principles of Psychology [40], in the context of the idea that human

consciousness consists of two parts:

... in certain persons, at least, the total possible consciousness may be

split into parts which coexist but mutually ignore each other, and share

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