Coelho Mollo, Dimitri (2018) Are There Teleological Functions to Compute? [Preprint]

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Abstract

I analyse a tension at the core of the mechanistic view of computation, generated by its joint commitment to the medium-independence of computational vehicles, and to computational systems possessing teleological functions to compute. While computation is individuated in medium-independent terms, teleology is sensitive to the constitutive physical properties of vehicles. This tension spells trouble for the mechanistic view, suggesting that there can be no teleological functions to compute. I argue that, once considerations about the relevant function-bestowing factors for computational systems are brought to bear, the tension dissolves: physical systems can have the teleological function to compute.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Coelho Mollo, Dimitri dimitricmollo@gmail.com 0000-0002-0464-3535
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Philosophy of Science
Keywords:	Computation; Mechanistic View of Computation; Mechanistic Explanation; Teleological Function; Cognitive Science
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science Specific Sciences > Computation/Information Specific Sciences > Computer Science General Issues > Explanation
Depositing User:	Dimitri Coelho Mollo
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2018 16:03
Last Modified:	29 Sep 2018 16:03
Item ID:	15075
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science Specific Sciences > Computation/Information Specific Sciences > Computer Science General Issues > Explanation
Date:	5 September 2018
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15075

Available Versions of this Item

• Are There Teleological Functions to Compute? (deposited 29 Sep 2018 16:03) [Currently Displayed]
  • Are There Teleological Functions to Compute? (deposited 20 Aug 2019 13:54)

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