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My favourite computer-related quote: "programming is applied philosophy" (origin unknown, sorry!)

by refset 7y ago

therein 7y ago
I always thought, and probably not for the most solid reasons: Math is applied philosophy and theory of knowledge. Physics is Math applied on reality. Chemistry is applied Physics. Biology is applied Chemistry.
- thunderbong 7y ago
  Agree. I had also thought of the sciences in that manner.
- bigbonch 7y ago
  I would ammend the last two points and say Chemistry is Physics applied to physical primitives and Biology is Chemistry applied to organic phenomena or something like that.
- drworm 7y ago
  Which brings to mind this classic XKCD: https://xkcd.com/435/ https://xkcd.com/435/
- rxhernandez 7y ago
  It could be argued that physics has nothing at all to do with math; merely, that it is a convenient and powerful tool for humans to make sense of it. I've seen Susskind convincingly (albeit shallowly) argue that more "primitive" animals understand physics and I would be surprised if it was easy to argue that animals understand mathematics without circular logic or quick and loose definitions of what math is.
thunderbong 7y ago
I'm not so sure. Of course, I have asked many philosophical questions of myself, when understanding software. This, I've noticed, especially happens when you're crossing layers. For example, between hardware / assembly, assembly / C, C / OOP. However, considering that we have not really come up with a language with which we can communicate with computers seamlessly, I have my doubts. Because, unless we have a language, we can't really philosophize. This could be a problem due to the interfaces we have though. Or probably, because our interfaces with computers seem to be getting broader and richer with each generation of hardware, we haven't really been able to freeze on the language through which we communicate.
simonh 7y ago
“What is Magic but applied philosophy?” I’m sure I’ve seen that as a quote, but I can’t find where from. Possibly Dune?

My favourite computer-related quote: "programming is applied philosophy" (origin unknown, sorry!)

by refset 7y ago

My favourite computer-related quote: "programming is applied philosophy" (origin unknown, sorry!)

I always thought, and probably not for the most solid reasons: Math is applied philosophy and theory of knowledge. Physics is Math applied on reality. Chemistry is applied Physics. Biology is applied Chemistry.

thunderbong 7y ago
Agree. I had also thought of the sciences in that manner.
bigbonch 7y ago
I would ammend the last two points and say Chemistry is Physics applied to physical primitives and Biology is Chemistry applied to organic phenomena or something like that.
drworm 7y ago
Which brings to mind this classic XKCD: https://xkcd.com/435/ https://xkcd.com/435/
rxhernandez 7y ago
It could be argued that physics has nothing at all to do with math; merely, that it is a convenient and powerful tool for humans to make sense of it. I've seen Susskind convincingly (albeit shallowly) argue that more "primitive" animals understand physics and I would be surprised if it was easy to argue that animals understand mathematics without circular logic or quick and loose definitions of what math is.

thunderbong 7y ago

I'm not so sure. Of course, I have asked many philosophical questions of myself, when understanding software. This, I've noticed, especially happens when you're crossing layers. For example, between hardware / assembly, assembly / C, C / OOP. However, considering that we have not really come up with a language with which we can communicate with computers seamlessly, I have my doubts. Because, unless we have a language, we can't really philosophize. This could be a problem due to the interfaces we have though. Or probably, because our interfaces with computers seem to be getting broader and richer with each generation of hardware, we haven't really been able to freeze on the language through which we communicate.

simonh 7y ago

“What is Magic but applied philosophy?” I’m sure I’ve seen that as a quote, but I can’t find where from. Possibly Dune?