Focus and Perspectivism in Viewing Information, Data, and Informing: Fundamental Distinctions

In the theory of knowledge, Nietzsche articulated the principle of perspectivism. Using a simplified example, this paper illustrates how changing the optical perspective dramatically changes the results of observations. In the age of information, we still are far away from a reasonable consensus in viewing information and informing. Callaos and Callaos (2002) tried to integrate the disparate views into a “systemic notion of information” based on the “distributive notion of truth,” but it did not bring us closer to a more cohesive view for research and practice. Misplaced focus and ignored perspectives seem to be the root cause of failure. By placing the disparate views into a down-to-earth context of routine human-controlled operations and processes observed in nature, most of them can be clarified, explained, dispelled, or refuted. This paper articulates the most fundamental distinctions that should not be ignored when information is a significant factor that contributes to the success of operations.