In the sixth chapter of "The Logic of Information" Floridi (2019) explores information scepticism, examining its historical development and offering a novel analysis using Borel numbers and Hamming distances as tools. The author distinguishes between radical and moderate scepticism, arguing that radical scepticism is ultimately redundant and harmless, while moderate scepticism is useful for refining information. The analysis uses a model of information as data obtained through a question-answer process, using Borel numbers to represent possible worlds and Hamming distance to measure their differences. The author addresses potential objections and emphasises the constructive role of moderate scepticism in obtaining high quality information. Finally, the approach is contrasted with Cartesian and with a Peircean perspective on the nature of inquiry.

Please note that the podcast covers key points from the source with synthetic voices, which may have glitches. It’s a reflective, not comprehensive, interpretation.

Floridi, L. (2019). The logic of information: A theory of philosophy as conceptual design (First edition). Oxford University Press. (pp. 113-148)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit syntheticsynthesis.substack.com