3^rd AISB Symposium on Computing and Philosophy

In conjunction with the 2011 AISB Convention

Image byFilomena Scalise Image by Dan

Date:

6-7 April 2011

Location:

University of York, York, UK

Overview

As a subject for philosophical investigation computing has a long history (including the work of such figures as Leibniz and Turing). With the rapid technological progress of electronic computing since the mid-20th century we have seen the emergence of much deeper and broader interactions between computing and philosophy, although the scope, and need, for such interactions has not yet been widely recognised. For example, computing is contributing to classical philosophical topics such as the nature of mind, intelligence, agency, the varieties of logic, and how representation 'works'. At the same time the phenomenon of computing itself calls out for sustained philosophical attention to new problems such as the nature of software, the nature of the 'science' of computing as a discipline, the relationship between personal worlds and virtual worlds, and the significance of computer-based communications for personal identity. Indeed, the (by no means exhaustive list) of topics noted below demonstrate this. Both philosophy and computing stand to benefit from this continuing dialogue, particularly where it leads to investigation and creative responses to traditional problems in each subject. In the case of areas such as cognitive science and ambient intelligence, for instance, the pace of contemporary technological innovation requires immediate philosophical analysis, if it is to take account of important broader issues.

The purpose of the symposium is to further strengthen communication between these disciplines, thereby to advance the philosophical study of computing in general in relation to a number of key issues. These include traditional philosophical problems and the philosophical issues surrounding computational modelling. We therefore welcome papers exploring any of these issues. Papers that engage with cognitive science are particularly encouraged.

One example of a central area of development in which philosophical perspectives can make an important contribution pertains to issues arising from current research in neuroimaging, particularly in relation to interpretative accounts of data. A further example is the need to comprehend and engage with ethical issues arising from emerging computational technologies such as ambient intelligence or nanotechnology. Interest also continues to grow in the convergence of themes from Constructivism, Enactivism, Dynamic Systems Theory and Second Order Cybernetics. The organisers are also keen to receive contributions in these areas.

Submission and Publication Details

Submitted contributions should be sent by electronic mail to Dr Yasemin J. Erden (erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk). All articles should be sent electronically as PDF files to this address. Text editor templates can be found at http://www.aisb.org.uk/convention/aisb10/Submission.html

We request that submitted papers are limited to eight pages. Each paper will receive at least two reviews. Selected papers will be published in the general proceedings of the AISB Convention, with the proviso that at least ONE author attends the symposium in order to present the paper and participate in general symposium activities.

Important Dates

Submission deadline: 31 January 2011

Notification of acceptance: 28 February 2011

Camera ready copy due: TBA

Symposium: 7 April 2011
Registration: TBC

Publication

All papers from the AISB convention will be published in the AISB proceedings.

Additional Information

A "Best Student Paper" award will be given to the best student written paper submitted to the convention. The AISB will also fund three student scholarships. See here for further details.

A poster advertising this CFP can be accessed here: http://www.doc.gold.ac.uk/seminars/AISB/poster.pdf

Where possible, please circulate or print and display. Many thanks.

Organisers

Mark Bishop

Department of Computing, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK.
Email: m.bishop@gold.ac.uk
tel: +44 (0) 207 078 5048

Kevin Magill

Department of Philosophy, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK.

Email: k.magill@wlv.ac.uk

tel: +44 (0) 7940 453 027

Steve Russ

Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK.

Email: sbr@dcs.warwick.ac.uk

tel: +44 (0) 24 7652 3681

Yasemin J. Erden

CBET, St Mary's University College, Twickenham, UK

Email: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk

tel: +44 (0) 208 224 4250

Programme Committee

· Prof. John Barnden (University of Birmingham, UK)

· Prof. Mark Bishop (Goldsmiths, University of London, UK)

· Prof. Barry Cooper (University of Leeds, UK)

· Dr Yasemin J. Erden (St Mary's University College, UK)

· Dr David Gamez (University of Essex, UK)

· Dr Kevin Magill (University of Wolverhampton, UK)

· Dr Slawomir Nasuto (University of Reading, UK)

· Dr John Preston (University of Reading, UK)

· Dr Steve Russ (University of Warwick, UK)

· Prof. Murray Shanahan (Imperial College London, UK)

· Prof. Ian Sillitoe (University of Wolverhampton, UK)

· Dr Mark Sprevak (University of Edinburgh, UK)

· Dr Susan Stuart (University of Glasgow, UK)

· Prof. Steve Torrance (University of Sussex, UK)

· Prof. Raymond Turner (University of Essex, UK)

· Dr Tillmann Vierkant (University of Edinburgh, UK)

· Dr Hector Zenil (Wolfram Research, UK)

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The contents of this site are Copyright © 2011 by their respective authors.
They are not for citation or quotation without the express permission of the authors.

3rd AISB Symposium on Computing and Philosophy