The Philosophy of Quantum Computing

TL;DR

This paper explores the philosophical implications of quantum computing, focusing on how it merges physics and computer science to raise new questions and lessons in philosophy.

Contribution

It provides a philosophical analysis of quantum computing, highlighting its unique position at the intersection of physics and computer science.

Findings

Identifies key philosophical questions from quantum computing

Discusses lessons learned from merging physics and computer science

Highlights the conceptual challenges in quantum computation

Abstract

From the philosopher's perspective, the interest in quantum computation stems primarily from the way that it combines fundamental concepts from two distinct sciences: physics (especially quantum mechanics) and computer science, each long a subject of philosophical speculation and analysis in its own right. Quantum computing combines both of these more traditional areas of inquiry into one wholly new (if not quite independent) science. There are philosophical questions that arise from this merger, and philosophical lessons to be learned. Over the course of this chapter we discuss what I take to be some of the most important.