From Digital Humanities to Information Humanities: An Ontological Transformation of Discipline Paradigm
摘要
The rapid development of information technology has fundamentally transformed the ways in which information is produced, disseminated, and consumed, necessitating a paradigm shift in the humanities. While digital humanities (DH) have made significant contributions by leveraging computational tools and methodologies, its technocentric focus has often come at the expense of deeper engagement with the cultural, social, and ontological dimensions of information. This article posits Information Humanities (IH) as a transformative discipline that expands and redefines the scope of DH, offering a more holistic framework for understanding the interplay between information, technology, and human experience. The article begins by tracing the history and development of DH, highlighting its contributions while also critiquing its limitations. It then introduces IH as an expansion of the research paradigm that shifts the focus from tool-oriented research to a deeper exploration of information as a cultural, social, and ontological phenomenon, addressing issues such as digital inequality, information ethics, and the impact of information technologies on human cognition. The article outlines potential research directions in IH, including Critical Information Studies, information ethics, and information aesthetics. In conclusion, the article argues that IH represents a necessary evolution of the humanities, ensuring their relevance and impact in the information age. It calls for further exploration and development of IH as a discipline, highlighting its potential to address the complex challenges and opportunities facing human beings in the information age.