The Blackwell Guide To The Philosophy Of Computing And Information (blackwell Philosophy Guides, Vol. 14)

This Guide provides an ambitious state-of-the-art survey of the fundamental themes, problems, arguments and theories constituting the philosophy of computing. A complete guide to the philosophy of computing and information. Comprises 26 newly-written chapters by leading international experts. Provides a complete, critical introduction to the field. Each chapter combines careful scholarship with an engaging writing style. Includes an exhaustive glossary of technical terms. Ideal as a course text, but also of interest to researchers and general readers. "This Guide provides an ambitious, state-of-the-art survey of the themes, problems, arguments, and theories constituting the innovative field of the philosophy of computing and information. Written by an international group of leading experts, the 26 newly commissioned chapters present a complete, systematic, and critical introduction to a wide range of topics, including computer ethics, internet culture, digital art, cybernetics, and hypertext theory. Combining careful scholarship and lucid exposition, each chapter serves as a self-standing introduction to its topic. Supporting online resources include an exhaustive glossary of technical terms, expanded further reading sections, and a wide-ranging introduction explaining the nature of the new informational paradigm in philosophy. The Guide offers students a first foundation for understanding the philosophy of computing and information. It will also engage those general readers who are curious about the new computational and informational turn in philosophy, and researchers interested in broadening their experience. Book jacket."--Jacket As everyone who can operate a personal computer knows, the way to make the machine perform some desired task is to open the appropriate program stored in the computer's memory.