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Computational Artifacts

Towards a Philosophy of Computer Science

  • Book
  • © 2018

Overview

Authors:
  1. Raymond Turner

    1. School of Computer Science & Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom

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  • Essential contribution to the philosophy of computer science
  • Advances the notion of a technical artifact
  • Appeals to computer scientists and philosophers

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Table of contents (30 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. Part I

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-3
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    2. Computer Science

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 5-11

    3. Towards a Philosophy of Computer Science

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 13-19

  3. Part II

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 21-23
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    2. Computational Artifacts

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 25-29

    3. Logic Machines as Technical Artifacts

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 31-41

    4. The Ontology of Programs

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 43-52

    5. Software Systems as Technical Artifacts

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 53-57

  4. Part III

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 59-61
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    2. The Languages of Computer Science

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 63-66

    3. Programming Languages

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 67-76

    4. Semantic Theories

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 77-83

    5. Formal Semantics

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 85-94

    6. Semantics and Implementation

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 95-103

    7. Specification Languages

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 105-112

  5. Part IV

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 113-115
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    2. Software System Methodology

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 117-120

    3. Specification

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 121-127

    4. The Philosophy of Design

      • Raymond Turner
      Pages 129-132
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Keywords

About this book

The philosophy of computer science is concerned with issues that arise from reflection upon the nature and practice of the discipline of computer science. This book presents an approach to the subject that is centered upon the notion of computational artefact. It provides an analysis of the things of computer science as technical artefacts. Seeing them in this way enables the application of the analytical tools and concepts from the philosophy of technology to the technical artefacts of computer science.

With this conceptual framework the author examines some of the central philosophical concerns of computer science including the foundations of semantics, the logical role of specification, the nature of correctness, computational ontology and abstraction, formal methods, computational epistemology and explanation, the methodology of computer science, and the nature of computation.

The book will be of value to philosophers and computer scientists.

Reviews

“This superb book addresses fundamental issues for developing insight into the nature of CS as distinct from other physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics.” (Shapiro, Computing Reviews, July 15, 2019)

Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Computer Science & Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom

    Raymond Turner

About the author

Raymond Turner is an emeritus professor of the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering of the University of Essex. His research interests include theoretical computer science, mathematical logic, philosophical logic, philosophy of mathematics, and the philosophy of computer science.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Computational Artifacts

  • Book Subtitle: Towards a Philosophy of Computer Science

  • Authors: Raymond Turner

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55565-1

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Computer Science, Computer Science (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-662-55564-4Published: 24 July 2018

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-662-58559-7Published: 30 January 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-662-55565-1Published: 11 July 2018

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XV, 255

  • Topics: Theory of Computation, Philosophy of Science, Mathematical Logic and Foundations

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