On semantic information in nature

Abstract

The connection between semantic information and evolution has gained growing attention recently. Evolution in this contribution-as in others before-we consider as being driven by information. Semantic information, as we consider it, is based on energy. It follows syntactic and semantic rules. We assume syntax, semantics and pragmatics to be structural features of information in biological evolution. These features started to evolve with the very beginning of life and have become more complex and richer in the course of the unfolding biological evolution across all species. We argue that semantic information is an exclusive feature of biological evolution. We present an information model covering this which to a certain degree-it does not cover quantitative aspects-complements Shannon's information theory and opens novel views on informational based processes in nature.