Philosophy of computer science

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. even though computer science is not a relative science.

General topics

The philosophy of computer science involves itself with a number of general topic in the philosophy of science 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 intelligence
• Philosophy of information
• Philosophy of mathematics
• Philosophy of science
• Philosophy of technology

Further reading

• Scott Aaronson. "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 Floridi (editor). The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Computing and Information, 2004.
• Luciano Floridi (editor). Philosophy of Computing and Information: 5 Questions. Automatic Press, 2008.
• Luciano Floridi. Philosophy and Computing: An Introduction, Routledge, 1999.
• Christian Jongeneel. The informatical worldview, an inquiry into the methodology of computer science.
• Jan van Leeuwen. "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). The Development of Computer Science: A Sociocultural Perspective. Doctoral thesis for University of Joensuu.
• Ray Turner and Ammon H. Eden. "The Philosophy of Computer Science". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• 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 University
• Philosophy of Computing and Information at PhilPapers

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 Aaronson at MIT.