Asian Information Philosophy for E- Learning; Case of Open and Distance Education in Sri Lanka

Abstract

A difference that makes a difference is defined as Information by Gregory Bateson (1972). Information Philosophy is a modern discipline of thecritical investigation of the conceptual nature and basic principles of information, including its dynamics, utilization and sciences andthe elaboration and application of information-theoretic and computational methodologies to philosophical problems ( Floridi,2003) merging of both Philosophy and Information Sciences. Information philosophy has been developed as a result of the amalgamation of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Sciences, Neurosciences, Cognitive Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Philosophy. Cybernetics is one of the interesting contributions made by Norbert Wiener, Alan Turing, William Ross Ashby, Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver in the mid 20th century, when they had to explore the telecommunication and information channels for American Bell Company. Luciano Floridi in 1990 termed this as Philosophy of Information. Despite of the fact the e- learning, which is introduced for third world countries (in recent higher education modification policies) as an effective mode of education, it is highly found in the western philosophy that provides a plat form of non-local remote culture and behavior of human. However, this study tries to explore the contents and capacities of Asian information philosophy, so that application of e- learning could be possible with sustainable and productive implementation that avoids the differences and limitation on non-grounded philosophy for local clients. Assuming that if there is a proper understanding on the Asian information theory, that discusses the existing cognitive and neuro-linguistic apparatuses, it could be possible to manage the existing issues emerging in the phase of initiating E- learning in the open and distance education system for Sri Lanka. For this study it is used first a conceptual and analytical exposition on what is Asian Infroamtion Philosophy and How it is content on our traditions and philosophies, and second, to search for necessary avenues for implementing e-leaning on the proposed audiences, it uses on-going and well as received responses and existing applications of the case of Open and Distance Education program of the University of Kelaniya.