Description
Logic and Philosophy of Science Seminar
Department of Logic, Institute of Philosophy
Eötvös Loránd University Budapest
Múzeum krt. 4/i Room 224
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P R O G R A M
The seminar is held in hybrid format, in person (Múzeum krt. 4/i Room 224) and online. Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/889933315?pwd=Q3U3V3VQdXpXckhJYWRrcWRiMUhhQT09
18 October (Friday) 4:15 - 6:15 PM Room 224 + ONLINE
Zoltán Sóstai
Department of Logic, Institute of Philosophy, Eötvös University Budapest
Empirical Constraints and the Computational Unpredictability of Physical Systems: A Critical Examination of the Physical Church-Turing Thesis and the Halting Problem
Abstract:
The intersection of computational theory and the philosophy of science is explored, where I focus on the implications of the physical Church-Turing thesis (PCTT) and the halting problem which affects predictability of physical systems. The core argument examined posits that if the PCTT holds, there are physical processes whose outcomes cannot be predicted due to the uncomputability of the halting problem.The inability to predict certain computational processes, as claimed in the core argument, would make it impossible to consistently forecast or evaluate physical events, undermining the principles of empirical knowledge and the validity of scientific models.
I critically analyze this core argument, which is based on three key suppositions: physicalism, the PCTT, and the uncomputability of the halting problem. It is shown through a counter-argument that these suppositions cannot hold simultaneously. We can demonstrate that when taking into account physical constraints and the meaningfulness of computations, the unpredictability posited by the core argument can be shown to be flawed and the claim of uncomputable physical decisions does not hold under closer empirical scrutiny. Nevertheless, it is also possible to show that a bounded, empirically constrained version of the core argument still holds, preserving some of the unpredictability under specific physical limitations. This offers a refined understanding of the limits of computability and prediction in physical systems.
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Seminar website (currently under construction): http://lps.elte.hu/lps
The seminar is open to everyone, including students, visitors, and faculty members from all departments and institutes! Format: 60 minute lecture, coffee break, 60 minute discussion.
The organizers: Márton Gömöri and Zalán Molnár