Second Conference on the Foundations of Information Science
=46IS96
The Quest for a Unified Theory of Information
Vienna University of Technology
11-15 June 1996
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
Prinz Alfred von Liechtenstein
Vienna Academy for Future Studies
IN COOPERATION WITH
BMWFK, Federal Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, Austria
DGSF, German Society for System Research
=46GI, Forschungsgesellschaft f=FCr Informatik, Vienna
GERG, General Evolution Research Group
GTDC, Global Technology Development Center, Vienna
IASS, International Association for Semiotic Studies
ISIS-Symmetry, International Society for the Interdisciplinary Study of
Symmetry
ISSS, International Society for the Systems Sciences
NATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Norbert Fenzl, Dept. of Geochemistry, Federal University of Par=E1, Bel=E9m,
Brasil, and Dept. of Technology Assessment and Design, Vienna University of
Technology
Wolfgang Hofkirchner, Dept. of Technology Assessment and Design, Vienna
University of Technology Michael Sedivy, "Der Standard", Quality Newspaper,
Vienna
Luc Schwartz, Dept. of Technology Assessment and Design, Vienna University
of Technology
Christian Stary, Dept. of Business Computing, University of Linz
Hans Wassermann, Chamber of Commerce, Klagenfurt
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Michael Conrad, Dept. of Computer Sciences, Wayne State University, U.S.
Keith Devlin, Saint Mary's College of California and Center for the Study
of Language and Information, Stanford University, U.S.
Johan K. De Vree, Dept. of International Relations, University of Utrecht,
Netherlands
Peter Fleissner (Co-Chair), Dept. of Technology Assessment and Design,
Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Ted Goranson, Sirius Beta Inc., Virginia Beach, U.S.
Gerhard Gr=F6ssing, Austrian Institute for Non-Linear Studies, Vienna, Austr=
ia
Klaus Haefner, Dept. of Mathematics and Informatics, University of Bremen, F=
RG
Klaus Kornwachs, Dept. of Philosophy of Technology, Brandenburg Technical
University of Cottbus, FRG
Ervin Laszlo, General Evolution Research Group and International Society
for the Systems Sciences, Montescudaio, Italy
Pedro C. Marijuan (Co-Chair), Dept. of Electronics and Informatics,
University of Zaragoza, Spain
Koichiro Matsuno, Dept. of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of
Technology, Japan
Roland Posner, Dept. of Linguistics, Technical University Berlin, FRG
Gottfried Stockinger, Dept. of Sociology, Federal University of Par=E1,
Bel=E9m, Brasil
Tom Stonier, Prof. Emeritus, Great Barrington, Mass., U.S.
G. Rickey Welch, Dept. for Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, U=
..S.
AGENDA
We are on the point of entering the age of information societies. Are we
ready to confront the global challenges of this new era?
Just in time, a new science is emerging,the basis of which is the concept
of information: =93information science"
* What is the underlying philosophy?
* Is a unified theory of information feasible?
* How can it serve as a tool for helping to solve social, technical and
environmental problems?
The following three topics will thus be covered by this conference:
1. Methodology:
A SYSTEMS APPROACH AND AN EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH IN ONE
* information science, philosophy, and the system of the sciences;
conceptual taxonomy
* knowledge and the dynamics of =93problem-solving" (what is a problem?)
2. Theory:
A MODEL OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEIR EVOLUTION
* events versus states, phase transitions in self-organizing systems
* information processing in physical, chemical, biotic (genetic, neuronal,
and ecological) and social (economic, political, and cultural) systems -
uniformities and differences
* the theory of pragmatic information
3. Practice:
A TOOL FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS
* information and problem-solving in the system of market/prices, in the
management of companies and institutions, cultural systems and countries,
and in the international arena (peace and conflict, environment)
* social survival =93at the 3rd Millennium": contemporary problems and the
role of the new science
A SPECIAL PUBLIC SESSION
Within the framework of the conference a special session for the public
will be arranged.
SUBMISSION OF PAPERS
Papers and posters relating to the three topics are welcome.
* As we want to provide an atmosphere that will facilitate
problem-orientated discussion, the overall number of participants will be
limited to (less than) 100 and the presentation time for accepted speakers
to 15 minutes plus 15 minutes discussion time.
* Please send in an abstract of about 1 Page (maximum) by 1 March 1996
(preferably via e-mail to fis96@igw.tuwien.ac.at).
* Your abstract will be reviewed by 15 March.
* If your contribution is accepted we will ask you to send in a paper of
about 6 pages, to arrive no later than 2 May.
* We expect to have to charge a fee of ATS 4,500.
CONTACT
Please direct all inquiries concerning participation in the conference to:
Wolfgang Hofkirchner
Working Group on Social Cybernetics,
Dept. of Technology Assessment and Design,
Vienna University of Technology,
M=F6llwaldplatz 5,
A-1040 Wien
Tel: **43 1 504 11 86
=46AX: **43 1 504 11 86 43
e-mail: fis96@igw.tuwien.ac.at
=46URTHER CONFERENCE INFORMATION
See our WWW-pages under
URL: http://igw.tuwien.ac.at/fis96/welcome.html
***********************************
Yours,
Wolfgang Hofkirchner
Department for Design and Assessment of Technology/Social Cybernetics
Vienna University of Technology
Moellwaldplatz 5
A-1040 Vienna
Austria
=46ON *431-504-11-86-33
=46AX *431-504-11-88
E-MAIL hofi@igw.tuwien.ac.at
WWW-URL http://igw.tuwien.ac.at/igw/