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Minds and Machines

, Volume 17, Issue 2, pp 135–167 | Cite as

Three Paradigms of Computer Science

  • Amnon H. Eden
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

We examine the philosophical disputes among computer scientists concerning methodological, ontological, and epistemological questions: Is computer science a branch of mathematics, an engineering discipline, or a natural science? Should knowledge about the behaviour of programs proceed deductively or empirically? Are computer programs on a par with mathematical objects, with mere data, or with mental processes? We conclude that distinct positions taken in regard to these questions emanate from distinct sets of received beliefs or paradigms within the discipline:

  • The rationalist paradigm, which was common among theoretical computer scientists, defines computer science as a branch of mathematics, treats programs on a par with mathematical objects, and seeks certain, a priori knowledge about their ‘correctness’ by means of deductive reasoning.

  • The technocratic paradigm, promulgated mainly by software engineers and has come to dominate much of the discipline, defines computer science as an engineering discipline, treats programs as mere data, and seeks probable, a posteriori knowledge about their reliability empirically using testing suites.

  • The scientific paradigm, prevalent in the branches of artificial intelligence, defines computer science as a natural (empirical) science, takes programs to be entities on a par with mental processes, and seeks a priori and a posteriori knowledge about them by combining formal deduction and scientific experimentation.

We demonstrate evidence corroborating the tenets of the scientific paradigm, in particular the claim that program-processes are on a par with mental processes. We conclude with a discussion in the influence that the technocratic paradigm has been having over computer science.

Keywords

Philosophy of computer science Ontology and epistemology of computer programs Scientific paradigms 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Special thanks go to Ray Turner for reviewing draft arguments and for his guidance and continuous support, without which this paper would not have been possible; to Jack Copeland for his guidance on matters of traditional philosophy; and to Bill Rapaport for his detailed comments. We also thank Tim Colburn (2000) and Bill Rapaport (2005) without whose extensive contributions the nascent discipline of philosophy of computer science would not exist; Barry Smith for his guidance; Susan Stuart for developing the contentions made of this paper; Naomi Draaijer for her support; Yehuda Elkana, Saul Eden-Draaijer, and Mary J. Anna for their inspiration. This research was supported in part by grants from UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Amnon H. Eden
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Computer ScienceUniversity of EssexColchesterUK
  2. 2.Center for InquiryAmherstUSA

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