An information typology for understanding living systems

It is argued that we can improve our understanding of living systems by focusing on their informational processes. Recent developments, primarily in evolutionary biology, cybernetics and systems theory, suggest that informational processes are of at least two, and probably three, different types; and that the interaction of these types can be seen as a basis for the self-construction of living systems. Following the work of Csanyi and Kampis, a distinction is drawn between referential and nonreferential information. This typology is further extended to include statereferential information. The statereferential type serves to lend stability to informational arrangements (organization) that are viable so that they may be propagated in space and time.