PhilSci Archive

Long-Arm Functional Individuation of Computation

Fresco, Nir (2021) Long-Arm Functional Individuation of Computation. [Preprint]

[img] Text
Functional-Individuation-Computation-final.docx

Download (113kB)

Abstract

A single physical process may often be described equally well as computing several different mathematical functions—none of which is explanatorily privileged. How, then, should the computational identity of a physical system be determined? Some computational mechanists hold that computation is individuated only by either narrow physical or functional properties. Even if some individuative role is attributed to environmental factors, it is rather limited. The computational semanticist holds that computation is individuated, at least in part, by semantic properties. She claims that the mechanistic account lacks the resources to individuate the computations performed by some systems, thereby leaving interesting cases of computational indeterminacy unaddressed. This article examines some of these views, and claims that more cases of computational indeterminacy can be addressed, if the system-environment interaction plays a greater role in individuating computations. A new, long-arm functional strategy for individuating computation is advanced.


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

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Fresco, Nirnfresco@bgu.ac.i0000-0002-7182-9727
Additional Information: Forthcoming in Synthese
Keywords: Computation; Wide individuation; Narrow individuation; Teleological function; Externalism; Internalism; Mechanistic view; Semantic view
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Computation
General Issues > Explanation
Depositing User: Nir Fresco
Date Deposited: 05 Sep 2021 20:16
Last Modified: 05 Sep 2021 20:16
Item ID: 19533
Official URL: https://link.springer.com/journal/11229/online-fir...
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Computation
General Issues > Explanation
Date: 2021
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19533

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item