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Two Philosophical Applications of Algorithmic Information Theory

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Book cover Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DMTCS 2003)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 2731))

Abstract

Two philosophical applications of the concept of program-size complexity are discussed. First, we consider the light program-size complexity sheds on whether mathematics is invented or discovered, i.e., is empirical or is a priori. Second, we propose that the notion of algorithmic independence sheds light on the question of being and how the world of our experience can be partitioned into separate entities.

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References

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Chaitin, G. (2003). Two Philosophical Applications of Algorithmic Information Theory. In: Calude, C.S., Dinneen, M.J., Vajnovszki, V. (eds) Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science. DMTCS 2003. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2731. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45066-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45066-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-40505-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-45066-5

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