Physical Computation (LV / Seminar)

Kohar, Matej

Do. 14-16

Beginn: 05.11.2020

The idea that the brain is, in some sense, a computer is widespread in modern cognitive science. However, the brain is, in many respects very different from ordinary electronic computers. It turns out that formulating a definition of "computer" broad enough to include both the brain and a laptop, but also narrow enough to exclude stomachs, walls, and rocks is surprisingly difficult. In this seminar we will read Gualtiero Piccinini's recent book Physical Computation which attempts to provide such a definition. We will critically examine Piccinini's own account of computation, as well as several rival accounts. We will also look at how different types of computers (digital, analog, neural) relate and differ from one another.

Literature:

Piccinini, G. (2015). Physical Computation: A Mechanistic Account. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Modulzuordnungen:

BA-KulT PHIL 3

MA-TGWT PHIL 1, 4

MA-PHIL 2, 3

Phil-FÜS I