Title

The Development of Hermeneutic Information Science

Abstract

This paper deals with the development of the “hermeneutic information science” as a unique stream of information science in a wide meaning. One of the most important task of the hermeneutic information science is to criticize the model of human-being as information processing machine (homo informaticus) and show that our information and media use is located on some different networks of the meanings because of the multiple relationships between the orientations of the meanings.　This paper consists of five chapters:

In chapter 1, the genealogy of hermeneutics as the origin of hermeneutic information science is described, mainly on Heidegger and Gadamer. Hermeneutic after of Schleiermacher, moved from “methodology of understanding” to “phenomenology of understanding.” Dilthey, who was influenced by Schleiermacher, tried to make “understanding” a foundation of “Geisteswissenschaften” (that we call humanity and social sciences today), against “explanation” as the principle of natural sciences. Heidegger called the methodology for his ontology “hermeneutics.” Heidegger made the foundation afterwards by defining the “pre-structure of understandings” as “Vor-habe (pre-having),” “Vor-sicht (pre-viewpoint)” and “Vor-griff (pre-concept-grasping).” Gadamer regarded “traditions” as a most important pre-understanding or “Vor-Urteil (prejudice)” and put it the basis of understanding and put forward a new doctrine “the fusion of horizons” between the traditions and the self. It is Rafael Capurro (1945- ), who has introduced the hermeneutic theory of Heidegger and Gadamer into the field of information science. He was born in South America, studied philosophy and theology there, then went to Germany and has studied information science. He uses such hermeneutic concepts as these: 1) Vorverstandnis (pre-understanding), 2) Entwurf (designing) and 3) Information Gestell.

In chapter 2, Capurro’s first book Hermeneutik der Fachinformation (hermeneutics of technical information) (1986) is the main material. First, basic concepts of philosophical hermeneutics are described: three level of understanding classified by Capurro, pre-structures of understandings mentioned by Heidegger and three metaphors relating hermeneutics. Second, four studies concerning the hermeneutics of technical information are described: Langefors, Diemer, Henrichs and Belkin. Third, three models of cognition in the field of information science is described: copy model, sender-channel-receiver model and Platonic model. Then the “hermeneutic of information retrieval” is described. The relations between the construction, providing or use of information systems and pre-structures of human understandings are seen from that viewpoint of the fusion of horizons of the information system (or its constructor) and the user.

　　In chapter 3, Capurro's second book Leben im Informationszeitalter (live in the information age) (1995) is the main material. In 90's the Internet has been widespread, Capurro's studies came to treat the issues of information ethics in the wide meaning. In this field they often try to set up norms in using information technology, but Capurro thinks it is more important that it should be taken back and interpreted on the multiple horizons of the meanings. He refers to Foucault’s idea of “technologies of the self” and proposes not act-oriented but self-oriented ethics. Its features are follows: 1) cooperation with others, 2) openness and relativity, 3) multiple perspective and 4) ecological mind. The view of human beings as the target of information ethics in this meaning is not an information processing model homo informaticus proposed by classical informatics, but “In-der-Welt-sein (In-the-world-being)” in terms of Heideggerians, that lives in the relationships of the meanings. To design (Entwurf) information technology means also to design (Entwurf) one’s own existence. This turn of view is the hermeneutic paradigm shift of information science. It also means that to regard the information skills as techne and knowledge about well-being as phronesis, which are two types of knowledge proposed by Aristotle. When we put this relationship on the diagram of homo sapiens and homo patiens proposed by Frankl, the ability to use information technology (= techne) is located on the axis of homo sapiens and various relationships should be found between these two axes.

　　In chapter 4, the “angeletics (message studies)” proposed by Capurro recently is discussed. Hermeneutics doesn’t treat the processes of generation or transmission of what should be understood. Capurro paid attention to the concept of angelia (means “message” in Greek) which represents the aspect of the transmission of the meaning of information. He thinks over the dialogical relationship of the two structures of the message transmissions, vertical and horizontal transmission structures in historical viewpoint. We can find it in ancient Greek, in the Age of Enlightenment in the modern period and in the Age of digital media in the present-day. Angeletics is the idea that extends the field of hermeneutics. Angeletics and mediologie (Debray) are also complementing each other.

　　In chapter 5, the possibility of the empirical studies from the hermeneutic viewpoint is discussed, mentioning the concept of information literacy. In the case of information use also, there are at least two axes: homo sapiens and homo patiens. Various relationships of the consciousness or values would be seen on the field made by these two axes. ReGIS (Research Group on Information Society, University of Tsukuba), of which I am a member, had an investigation in July 2002 and acquired 569 samples. I analyzed about the factors which seems to have some relations with information literacy, including library use. This investigation includes many questions about value and emotions. As a result of the analysis, computer skills are related to the homo sapiens like orientations, and show no relations with factors related to homo patiens like orientations. Concerning the library use, three types of consciousness are specified: 1) to use library positively, 2) think library atmosphere important and 3) have no need to use library. The first is related to the homo patiens like answers such as “I am interested in religion as a historical/cultural artifact,” “It is important for me to pursue the ideal lifestyle that is in accordance with what we perceive to be our meaning in life.” The second is related to the answers such as “I think that there is not enough consideration for physically challenged people in today’s society,” “Our country should deal with environmental problem.” The third is related to homo sapiens like answers such as “I think someone who lends money to me is a good friendship,” “I am interested in trendy new products.” And that, If we think library use as a part of information literacy, it must be serious that the result shows that “Internet is important as means of obtaining information” is related to “have no need to library.” Although this result of analysis is not definitive one, it gives us some suggestions to consider the relationship between information use and horizons of the meanings.