On Communication. An Interdisciplinary and Mathematical Approach

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-vii

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2. Introduction: Communication – problems of a concept and a new methodical approach

   Pages 1-6

3. Excursion into complex systems theory

   Pages 7-24

4. Meaning and Information: the semantic dimension of communication

   Pages 25-66

5. The social dimension of communication

   Pages 67-128

6. The cognitive dimension of communication

   Pages 129-178

7. The general equations of communicative processes

   Pages 179-192

8. Examples: Computer Models as Operationalization

   Pages 193-224

9. Epilogue: The Mathematical Conditions of Human Cognition and Communication

   Pages 225-230

10. Back Matter

    Pages 231-231

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This book originated in the last four years when we were lecturing both in communication and computer science at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. Therefore, it was rather obvious for us to integrate these two sci- tific disciplines and to analyze the problem of the general logic of communicative processes by the use of suited computer models and mathematical concepts. The result of these efforts is this book and it is up to the readers if our attempts are successful. We could never have finished this study without the enthusiastic interest of many students in both sciences. Several of them are named in the book who implemented specific computer programs as part of their respective MA-thesis. We have also to thank several colleagues in communication and computer science, who supported our work in many ways. We frequently experienced that the old and venerable paradigm of especially the German University "the unity of research and teaching" (Humboldt) is far from dead and can be updated any time, provided a suited research project. Our special thanks go to Jörn Schmidt from the former Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Higher Education at our University, whose constant help was invaluable to us. Each new scientific approach is only possible because it stands, to quote Newton, “on the shoulders of giants”. Therefore, we dedicate this book in memoriam to two great pioneers in communication science, namely Claude E. Shannon and Gerold Ungeheuer.

• automata
• cognition
• communication
• complex systems
• complexity
• computer
• computer science
• knowledge

From the reviews:

"This research monograph offers an innovative and very much unique perspective at communications by bringing forward two important facts of communication theory and practice. … The material is presented in a coherent way. … Illustrative material coming in the form of brief simulation schemes is a genuine asset of the monograph. … All in all, this is a highly welcome contribution stressing the genuine need for new comprehensive and unified view at the discipline of communication." (Witold Pedrycz, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1137 (15), 2008)

• University of Duisburg-Essen

  Jurgen Klüver, Christina Klüver

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