Abstract
It is tempting to say that genes contain messages or instructions of some kind. For many, ‘‘tempting’’ is not the right word; this is something that modern biology has discovered and described. But the boundary between literal and metaphorical description is hard to work out in cases like this. Some of those who would insist on the enormous value of symbolic and computational description of genetic systems may find themselves adding that the goodness here is ultimately a goodness of metaphor. As I understand them, Bergstrom and Rosvall (‘‘B&R’’) are quite literalminded in their approach. They see their information-theoretic analysis as describing real features of genetic systems. They argue that the previous literature on this topic has failed to see these features because it has not approached the question in the right way. The right approach is decision-theoretic: ‘‘information theory is a decision theory of how to package information for transport, efficiently’’ (Bergstrom and Rosvall this issue). Within that framework, B&R assert the following view:
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
