A pilot study of meaning of information in information systems based on Heidegger's work on 'being'

摘要

There appear many inconsistent and often conflicting views and terms for information, data and meaning in the field of information systems, the kind of confusion is resulted in by lacking of an appropriate understanding of meaning. The paper argues that meaning is created through interpretation, and the subject of an interpretation activity. So, We draw on Heidegger's work on 'being' to investigate the being-structure and essential characteristics of information-literate knowledge worker in the process of information realization with which to understand the essence of inter-subjective meaning and subjective meaning. The paper elicits that meaning is the link between information and data. The realization of meaning of information embodies the ability with which interpreter is able to understand or interpret the information, viz. the horizon of interpretation. Therefore, the investigation would seem highly desirable and important both for theoretic research and practice.