In this article we analyze the thesis that computations are content-involving (CIC). We show that the thesis can be understood in a stronger and a weaker sense, depending on whether semantics affects both the individuation of computation and the transitions between computational states (the computational dynamics), or only the former (so that the formality condition is preserved). We argue against both versions of CIC. Then we put forward a moderate syntactic view, according to which the concept of computation as abstractly characterized is essentially syntactic, but the computational explanation of physical systems makes an unavoidable use of content-involving vocabulary. This does not mean that implemented computations get their content essentially.

(2023). What does it mean that computation is content-involving? [journal article - articolo]. In PARADIGMI. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10446/255969

What does it mean that computation is content-involving?

Calzavarini, Fabrizio;Paternoster, Alfredo;Pinna Pintor, Agostino
2023-01-01

Abstract

In this article we analyze the thesis that computations are content-involving (CIC). We show that the thesis can be understood in a stronger and a weaker sense, depending on whether semantics affects both the individuation of computation and the transitions between computational states (the computational dynamics), or only the former (so that the formality condition is preserved). We argue against both versions of CIC. Then we put forward a moderate syntactic view, according to which the concept of computation as abstractly characterized is essentially syntactic, but the computational explanation of physical systems makes an unavoidable use of content-involving vocabulary. This does not mean that implemented computations get their content essentially.
articolo
2023
Calzavarini, Fabrizio; Paternoster, Alfredo; PINNA-PINTOR, Agostino
(2023). What does it mean that computation is content-involving? [journal article - articolo]. In PARADIGMI. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10446/255969
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10446/255969
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