An Analysis of the Criteria for Evaluating Adequate Theories of Computation
This paper deals with the question: What are the criteria that an adequate theory of computation has to meet? (1) Smiths answer: it has to meet the empirical criterion (i.e. doing justice to computational practice), the conceptual criterion (i.e. explaining all the underlying concepts) and the cognitive criterion (i.e. providing solid grounds for computationalism). (2) Piccininis answer: it has to meet the objectivity criterion (i.e. identifying computation as a matter of fact), the explanation criterion (i.e. explaining the computers behaviour), the right things compute criterion, the miscomputation criterion (i.e. accounting for malfunctions), the taxonomy criterion (i.e. distinguishing between different classes of computers) and the empirical criterion. (3) Von Neumanns answer: it has to meet the precision and reliability of computers criterion, the single error criterion (i.e. addressing the impacts of errors) and the distinction between analogue and digital computers criterion. (4) Everything computes answer: it has to meet the implementation theory criterion by properly explaining the notion of implementation.
theory computation computation practice cognition computationalism matter implementation computers subject turing machines