Computational Reflections - Brian Cantwell Smith

Instant online reading.
Don't wait for delivery!
Go digital and save!

Computational Reflections

By: Brian Cantwell Smith

Write A Review

Paperback | 16 June 2026

At a Glance

Format
Paperback

Dimensions(cm)
22.9 x 15.0 x 2.8

Paperback

RRP $145.00

$110.75

24%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $27.69 with

Ships in 25 to 30 business days

A groundbreaking critique of the philosophical foundations of computing.

Computational Reflections is a wholly original investigation into the philosophical foundations of computing. Brian Cantwell Smith distills a lifetime of work into this volume which explores what it means to compute.

The standard theoretical foundations of computer science address the fundamental concept of "mechanism," but almost completely ignore the crucial role of "meaning" in any computational practice. Cantwell Smith takes the reader through these missing foundational gaps, including a historical analysis of why the field has reached its current state.

Despite its lack of treatment of semantics ("meaning"), computer science has borrowed and adopted semantic vocabulary to refer to mechanistic concepts, thus aggravating confusion within and without the field, especially so in philosophy, cognitive science, and contemporary artificial intelligence. This book's arguments help to illustrate why computer science theory has almost nothing to say about "computation in the wild"-or the real-world practice of programmers and engineers who design the software and devices that we all use. The author argues that a true account of computation must do justice to the incredible complexity juggled by programmers in creating software that works, and he offers not only criticism, but also directions for a successor account of computing.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.