Philosophy of Computer Science

In this book, we will look at some of the central issues in the philosophy of computer science. The book is not designed to answer all (or even any) of the philosophical questions that can be raised about the nature of computers and computer science. Rather, it is designed to “bring you up to speed” on a conversation about these issues— to give you some of the background knowledge about them—so that you can read the literature for yourself and perhaps become part of the conversation by contributing your own views.

This book is intended for readers who might know some philosophy but no computer science, as well as for readers who might know some computer science but no philosophy (and there might even be some readers who know little or nothing about both!). So, we will begin by asking what philosophy is. (Most of the rest of the book will be concerned with what computer science is.) Thus, our first question will be:

• What is philosophy?
• What is computer science?
• Next, we will turn to some of the issues in the philosophy of artificial intelligence (AI)
• Finally, we will consider two questions that fall under the heading of computer ethics