Abstract
The concept of document is common and fundamental to numerous information-related disciplines. Perhaps because of this, many definitions of document have been proposed. A conceptual analysis reveals that all these definitions, though they vary in important ways, have a common feature that has not yet been stated explicitly: Humans are vital to documents. That is, a human being is inextricable from the very notion of document. This leads to a further conceptualization of documents as psycho-physical or socio-physical entities that are co-created. Consequently, all documents must be viewed as idiosyncratic and context-bound. Further ramifications for information research, ethics and practice are discussed. Finally, reconsideration of this conceptualization in light of the possible approach of the technological singularity is provoked.
Recommended Citation
Gorichanaz, Tim
(2015)
"For Every Document, a Person: A Co-Created View of Documents,"
Proceedings from the Document Academy: Vol. 2
:
Iss.
1
, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35492/docam/2/1/9
Available at:
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/docam/vol2/iss1/9
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.35492/docam/2/1/9