Philosophy of Computer Science: An Introduction to the Issues and the Literature - Softcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

William J. Rapaport is CSE Eminent Professor Emeritus in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and an affiliated faculty member emeritus in the Departments of Philosophy and of Linguistics at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. He is a recipient of the Barwise Prize of the American Philosophical Association, the Covey Award of the International Association for Computing and Philosophy, and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

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Discover the philosophical issues at the heart of computer science

For computer science students, philosophy students, professionals in either field, and general readers interested in both, Philosophy of Computer Science offers a fascinating introduction to the central questions that philosophy asks about the field of computer science. First of all, what is computer science? What is a computer, and what is science, for that matter? These basic investigations lead into many other areas, dealing with, for example, Turing Machines, hypercomputation, artificial intelligence, and the ethics of computers and robots. This book gives readers the background to bring them up to speed about these issues and many more.

After reading this introduction, you will be able to engage with classic and current literature in the philosophy of computer science, forming your own reasoned opinions and, perhaps, contributing your own views. Uniquely, Philosophy of Computer Science weaves in content on how philosophers reason and evaluate logical arguments, and it provides suggested writing assignments designed to help focus your thinking about the fascinating issues covered. This text is a wonderful place to start examining what happens when we turn a philosophical eye to the science of computing.