Information science as interfaces of the cognitive sphere and society

摘要

Ideas from the science of science literature have been put within the framework of information science in a synthetic, critical assessment of information science philosophy. The information field is found to be in a transition state and the concept of its autocatalytic self-organization can be applied. Information science is expected to study preponderantly the ways by which humankind's cognitive creativity, with perpetually changing content, becomes humankind's everyday living force. Information science is likened to a membraneous system which takes active part in this transfer process both at the internal interfaces within the cognitive sphere itself and at the external interfaces between the cognitive sphere and the society at large. Examples of various types of information science membranes are given as possible research projects.