THE POWER OF INFORMATION IN 2001, A SPACE ODYSSEY

Authors

Keywords:

epistemology of Information Science, algorithmic governance, artificial agency, algorithmic disinformation, information literacy

Abstract

This study analyses Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey as an allegory for an epistemological reflection on Information Science. It reconstructs the evolutionary trajectory of information, from the technical materiality of bone (Capurro’s physical paradigm) to the algorithmic agency of HAL 9000 (Floridi’s infosphere), with the aim of investigating how the narrative anticipates contemporary dilemmas of informational power, cognitive autonomy and hybrid human-Artificial Intelligence governance. A qualitative hermeneutic-interpretative approach is adopted, with an analysis of key scenes through the lens of the paradigms of Information Science (physical, cognitive, social), contemporary epistemological ideas and the ethical risks of artificial agents. The originality of the approach lies in proposing science fiction as a conceptual laboratory for reflection on the foundations of Information Science, overcoming Capurrian anthropocentrism and contributing to reflections on algorithmic disinformation and epistemic symbiosis.

Author Biographies

  • Clarice Buss, Santa Catarina State University

    Ph.D. candidate in Information Science in the Graduate Program in Information Management (PPGInfo) at the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC). Holds a master’s degree in Information Science from the Graduate Program in Information Management (PPGInfo) at UDESC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from the University of the Joinville Region. She is a Systems Analyst at the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC).

  • Dayane Dornelles, Santa Catarina State University, Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia

    Ph.D. candidate in Information Science at the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (Ibict). She holds a master’s degree in Information Management and a bachelor’s degree in Library Science from the State University of Santa Catarina (Udesc).

  • Jônatas Wondracek, Santa Catarina State University

    Ph.D. candidate in Information Science in the Graduate Program in Information Management (PPGInfo) at the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC). He holds a master’s degree in Information Science from the PPGInfo program at FAED-UDESC. He has bachelor’s degrees in Law and Police Sciences, as well as specializations in Procedural Law, Public Law, Compliance in Public Management, and Public Order Management. He is a major in the Santa Catarina Military Police and teaches in the PMSC’s training and continuing education courses.

  • José Claudio Matos, Santa Catarina State University

    Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of São Paulo (USP) (2004); Ph.D. in Information Science from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) (2021). Professor in the Department of Library Science at the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC) and in the Graduate Program in Information Management (PPGInfo UDESC). Coordinator of the Program on Information Reliability and Combating Disinformation in the Digital Environment (CIDAD).

Downloads

Published

2026-11-13

Conference Proceedings Volume

2026: XXVI ENCONTRO NACIONAL DE PESQUISA E PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM CIÊNCIA DA INFORMAÇÃO

Section

GT 1 – Estudos Históricos e Epistemológicos da Ciência da Informação

Categories