Workshop Philosophy of information: 'Putting information First' Brussel 18-19 november 2010

The philosophy of information should not be reduced to mere theorising about its core concepts of information and computation. Instead, it should be regarded as a way of approaching philosophical problems. In this broader sense, it requires the adoption of a specific methodology as well as a specific attitude towards philosophical problem-solving. The method is one that is influenced by the concepts of information and computation as well as its sciences; the attitude is one that has been described as methodological minimalism.

Of course, the philosophy of information and its practitioners can only live up to that ideal by reaching out to the philosophical community as a whole, and by confronting its views with contemporary work in core areas of philosophy. This involves a discussion about the relevance of the concepts of information and computation, an assessment of the solutions that were reached by putting information first, and taking part in the current debate on philosophical methodology.

An ambitious project like the philosophy of information cannot operate in isolation. Not only does it have to rely on input from the sciences of information and computation, it also needs to convince those who are sympathetic to the project (including those who had been philosophers of information without realising it) to contribute actively, and encourage the sceptics to challenge the basic assumptions of the philosophy of information.

For the third workshop on the philosophy of information, we would like to bring together researchers who have been working in the philosophy of information, with researchers working in related areas. In particular we would like to hear about (a) the relevance of information and computation (as a concept, but also methodologically) for their (sub-)discipline, or (b) criticisms and objections to the use of information and computation in their (sub-)discipline. More broadly, we encourage any contribution that either builds on previous work in the philosophy of information, or proposes a critical outlook on its products.