The subject of this blog is epistemology as it applies to computer-centric data. Computer data epistemology is not identical to "real-world" epistemology, because the nature and features of the machine introduce certain limits and idiosyncrasies. On the other hand, it cannot be all that different and still be useful.
In the real world, we have to deal with three broad categories of "knowing:" 1) intuitive or faith-based or mytical knowledge - which in this context are more or less synonymous 2) "logical" knowledge - best typified by mathematics, and 3) experiential knowledge, perhaps beeter termed "factoid-driven" knowledge of which experimental knowledge is a disciplined subset.
One of course is not surprised that computer data is often made up from "experience," and indeed one of the reasons we employ computers is because they can be used to create, edit, store, sort and tabulate "factiods."
Computers of course were first invented as "calculators," so performing mathematical operations as well as other purely logical functions were of great importance. Note that "logical" means that the knowledge in question is internally consistent (apart from the occasional logical error), but also is disconnected from the "real world." Plane geometry supplies "proofs" regarding the "ideal" triangle, but those proofs are disconnected from the real world, because no real world triangle conforms to the essential characteristics of an "ideal" triangle.
It might seem that "intuitive" or "mstical" knowledge has no role in computer-based "knowledge." However, in many instances database structures and various other aspects of "metadata" exhibit intuitive, faith-based, or mystical characteristics. Note that, for this author, the medieval philosophic notion of "realism" and various sorts of "idealism" have relevance to today's often rather mystical debates over database design and data management.
What gets complicated is dealing with modern, large-scale use of computing, because it almost universally blends the three types of knowledge. As the 'brute force" capabilities of computer hardware, peripherals and networks increase, we are able to break out of constraints imposed by the technology - e.g., of 80 column punch cards, hugely expensive disk drives with tiny storage capacities. However, it is now that we are far less constrained by technology that we find our system designs and system operations constrained by the fundamentals of epistemology.
Fulton Wilcox
Colts Neck Solutions LLC
www.coltsnecksolutions.com
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