Reductionism, emergence, and levels of abstractions
Russ Abbott
TL;DR
This paper explores how higher-level laws of nature can exist independently of fundamental physics by using the computer science concept of levels of abstraction, offering a computational perspective on philosophical issues.
Contribution
It introduces the notion that levels of abstraction in computer science can explain the independence of higher-level laws from fundamental physics.
Findings
Levels of abstraction allow for independent higher-level laws.
Computational thinking provides a framework for understanding emergence.
Addresses a philosophical problem using computer science concepts.
Abstract
Can there be independent higher level laws of nature if everything is reducible to the fundamental laws of physics? The computer science notion of level of abstraction explains why there can -- illustrating how computational thinking can solve one of philosophy's most vexing problems.
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Taxonomy
TopicsComputability, Logic, AI Algorithms