PhilSci Archive

Pancomputationalism and the Computational Description of Physical Systems

Anderson, Neal G. and Piccinini, Gualtiero (2017) Pancomputationalism and the Computational Description of Physical Systems. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
PCv2.8.17.pdf

Download (462kB) | Preview

Abstract

According to pancomputationalism, all physical systems – atoms, rocks, hurricanes, and toasters – perform computations. Pancomputationalism seems to be increasingly popular among some philosophers and physicists. In this paper, we interpret pancomputationalism in terms of computational descriptions of varying strength—computational interpretations of physical microstates and dynamics that vary in their restrictiveness. We distinguish several types of pancomputationalism and identify essential features of the computational descriptions required to support them. By tying various pancomputationalist theses directly to notions of what counts as computation in a physical system, we clarify the meaning, strength, and plausibility of pancomputationalist claims. We show that the force of these claims is diminished when weaknesses in their supporting computational descriptions are laid bare. Specifically, once computation is meaningfully distinguished from ordinary dynamics, the most sensational pancomputationalist claims are unwarranted, whereas the more modest claims offer little more than recognition of causal similarities between physical processes and the most primitive computing processes.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Anderson, Neal G.anderson@ecs.umass.edu
Piccinini, Gualtieropiccininig@umsl.edu
Keywords: Pancomputationalism, physics of computation, philosophy of computation, computational description.
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Computation/Information
Depositing User: Prof. Neal Anderson
Date Deposited: 10 Feb 2017 17:03
Last Modified: 10 Feb 2017 17:03
Item ID: 12812
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Computation/Information
Date: 8 February 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12812

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item