Philosophy of computer science
Encyclopedia
The philosophy of computer science is concerned with the philosophical
questions that arise with the study of computer science
, which is understood to mean not just programming but the whole study of concepts and methodologies that assist in the development and maintenance of computer systems. Despite some attempts to develop a philosophy of computer science like the philosophy of physics or the philosophy of mathematics, there is still no common understanding of the content, aim, focus, or topic of the philosophy of computer science.
as applied to computer science.
Workshops and conferences
Courses
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
questions that arise with the study of computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, which is understood to mean not just programming but the whole study of concepts and methodologies that assist in the development and maintenance of computer systems. Despite some attempts to develop a philosophy of computer science like the philosophy of physics or the philosophy of mathematics, there is still no common understanding of the content, aim, focus, or topic of the philosophy of computer science.
General topics
The philosophy of computer science involves itself with a number of general topic in the philosophy of sciencePhilosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
as applied to computer science.
Specific topics
There are a number of specific philosophical issues that arise in the study of computer science.See also
- Computer-assisted proof: Philosophical objections
- Philosophy of artificial intelligencePhilosophy of artificial intelligenceThe philosophy of artificial intelligence attempts to answer such questions as:* Can a machine act intelligently? Can it solve any problem that a person would solve by thinking?...
- Philosophy of informationPhilosophy of informationThe philosophy of information is the area of research that studies conceptual issues arising at the intersection of computer science, information technology, and philosophy.It includes:...
- Philosophy of mathematicsPhilosophy of mathematicsThe philosophy of mathematics is the branch of philosophy that studies the philosophical assumptions, foundations, and implications of mathematics. The aim of the philosophy of mathematics is to provide an account of the nature and methodology of mathematics and to understand the place of...
- Philosophy of sciencePhilosophy of scienceThe philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
- Philosophy of technologyPhilosophy of technologyThe philosophy of technology is a philosophical field dedicated to studying the nature of technology and its social effects.- History :Considered under the rubric of the Greek term techne , the philosophy of technology goes to the very roots of Western philosophy.* In his Republic, Plato sees...
Further reading
- Scott AaronsonScott AaronsonScott Joel Aaronson is a theoretical computer scientist and faculty member in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.-Education:...
. "Why Philosophers Should Care About Computational Complexity". To appear in Computability: Gödel, Turing, Church, and beyond. - Timothy Colburn. Philosophy and Computer Science. Explorations in Philosophy. M.E. Sharpe, 1999. ISBN 156324991X.
- A.K. Dewdney. New Turning Omnibus: 66 Excursions in Computer Science
- Luciano FloridiLuciano FloridiLuciano Floridi currently holds the Research Chair in philosophy of information and the UNESCO Chair in Information and Computer Ethics, both at the University of Hertfordshire, Department of Philosophy...
(editor). The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Computing and Information, 2004. - Luciano FloridiLuciano FloridiLuciano Floridi currently holds the Research Chair in philosophy of information and the UNESCO Chair in Information and Computer Ethics, both at the University of Hertfordshire, Department of Philosophy...
(editor). Philosophy of Computing and Information: 5 Questions. Automatic Press, 2008. - Luciano FloridiLuciano FloridiLuciano Floridi currently holds the Research Chair in philosophy of information and the UNESCO Chair in Information and Computer Ethics, both at the University of Hertfordshire, Department of Philosophy...
. Philosophy and Computing: An Introduction, Routledge, 1999. - Christian Jongeneel. The informatical worldview, an inquiry into the methodology of computer science.
- Jan van LeeuwenJan van LeeuwenJan van Leeuwen is a Dutch computer scientist, a professor at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences at the Utrecht University....
. "Towards a philosophy of the information and computing sciences", NIAS Newsletter 42, 2009. - Moschovakis, Y. (2001). What is an algorithm? In Enquist, B. and Schmid, W., editors, Mathematics unlimited — 2001 and beyond, pages 919–936. Springer.
- Alexander Ollongren, Jaap van den Herik. Filosofie van de informatica. London and New York: Routledge, 1999. ISBN 0-415-19749-X
- Matti Tedre (2006). [ftp://cs.joensuu.fi/pub/Dissertations/tedre.pdf The Development of Computer Science: A Sociocultural Perspective]. Doctoral thesis for University of Joensuu.
- Ray TurnerRay TurnerProfessor Raymond Turner is an English logician and theoretical computer scientist based at the University of Essex. He is best known for his work on logic in computer science and for his pioneering work in the philosophy of computer science...
and Ammon H. Eden. "The Philosophy of Computer Science". Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyStanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyThe Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a freely-accessible online encyclopedia of philosophy maintained by Stanford University. Each entry is written and maintained by an expert in the field, including professors from over 65 academic institutions worldwide...
. - Matti Tedre (2011). Computing as a Science: A Survey of Competing Viewpoints. Minds & Machines 21, 3, 361–387.
External links
Academic organizations and university departments- The International Association for Computing and Philosophy
- Philosophy of Computer Science at Essex University
- Center for Philosophy of Computer Science (Informatics) at Utrecht UniversityUtrecht UniversityUtrecht University is a university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Established March 26, 1636, it had an enrollment of 29,082 students in 2008, and employed 8,614 faculty and staff, 570 of which are full professors....
- Philosophy of Computing and Information at PhilPapersPhilPapersPhilPapers is an international, interactive academic database of journal articles for professionals and students in philosophy. It is maintained as a combined project of the Centre for Consciousness at the Australian National University , Canberra and the Institute of Philosophy in the School of...
Workshops and conferences
- Philosophy of the Information and Computing Sciences held in February 2010 at the Lorentz Center
Courses
- Philosophy of Computer Science at SUNY Buffalo
- The Philosophy of Computer Science. Graduate course including lecture notes. Matti Tedre, University of Joensuu, Department of Computer Science and Statistics.
- Philosophy and Theoretical Computer Science by Scott AaronsonScott AaronsonScott Joel Aaronson is a theoretical computer scientist and faculty member in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.-Education:...
at MIT.