Conceptual content of digital society

Abstract

This article is dedicated to study of the conceptual field of digital society. Relying upon the method of definitional analysis, the authors identified the main categories used in the definitions: subject; characteristics/features of the subject; actions of the subject; field of action of the subject; object; characteristics/features of the object; actions of the object; field of action of the object; environment. Presentation of definitions as formula charts allowed revealing deeper relationships rooted in the definitions and discovering functions not lying on the surface. Irrespective of peculiarities of meanings of the subjects used in the definitions, we can distinguish information and society as two main subjects. All actions of society and information actually come down to three functions: operations with information; operations with society; operations with material labor. As a result of the study, we concluded that society and information perform the same number of functions; they are identical; both society and information have a subjective-objective nature, since their actions are aimed at both the external environment and themselves. Numerous, concretized, detailed actions, primarily, with information, are a significant element of the conceptual content of information society. Based on the frequency parameter, we concluded that the main emphasis in the definitions is placed on developing non-material labor, which further leads to the change of such areas of society as social, political, economic, cultural, information and communication. During the study the systemic components of the concept “digital field” were identified, namely, axiological, evolutionary, educational, historical, subject and instrumental.