Philosophy and Computing: An Introduction

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Summary: Brilliant
Review: Best book in the area I have read for some time. The AI chapter is controversial but definitely worth reading. As for the rest, I enjoyed enormously. Don't miss it.

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Summary: from The Philosophers' Magazine (9)
Review: Floridi's book is a technical tour de force that seeks to explore some of the philosophical implications of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in the context of a rigorous and detailed examination of areas of technology such as the digital revolution, databases and hypertext, the internet and artificial intelligence. The strength of the book is his grasp of the technology. Over and over again he demonstrates a remarkable technical proficiency as he discusses areas as diverse as computer architecture, database design, network protocols and many others.

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Summary: from "Ends and Means"
Review: From "Ends and Means", The Journal of the University of Aberdeen Centre for Philosophy Technology and Society.

Philosophy and Computing: An Introduction is Luciano Floridi's wide-ranging account of the philosophical aspects of computers, the Internet, and digitisation in general. It is philosophy in quite a broad sense of the term, including both some relatively technical (for an introduction) sections on elementary computation theory, and many observations of a more sociological nature, examining how computer use is changing our ways of thinking and working.

Rating:
Summary: from "Ends and Means"
Review: From "Ends and Means", The Journal of the University of Aberdeen Centre for Philosophy Technology and Society.

Philosophy and Computing: An Introduction is Luciano Floridi's wide-ranging account of the philosophical aspects of computers, the Internet, and digitisation in general. It is philosophy in quite a broad sense of the term, including both some relatively technical (for an introduction) sections on elementary computation theory, and many observations of a more sociological nature, examining how computer use is changing our ways of thinking and working.

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Summary: Review in the New Scientist
Review: New Scientist, 9 October 1999, p. 59 "Must read... An impressive introductory text. Floridi bravely categorises artificial intelligence, and deals with cyborgs and robots". Kevin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics, University of Reading, UK

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Summary: From the back cover
Review: Philosophy and Computing is a stimulating and ambitious book that seeks to help lay a foundation for the new and vitally important field of Philosophy of Information. The author undertakes the challenging task of explaining central aspects of information technology--like databases, hypertext and networks--in ways that reveal important, and sometimes surprising, philosophical implications. Thought-provoking comments abound on a variety of philosophical topics, including logic, reasoning, meaning, belief, knowledge, intelligence, society, ontology, aesthetics and time--to name only a few examples. This is a worthy addition to the brand new and rapidly developing field of Philosophy of Information, a field that will revolutionise philosophy in the Information Age. Terrell Ward Bynum, Director Research Center on Computing & Society Southern Connecticut State University

Floridi's helpful, informative and often fascinating book is a welcome arrival. Floridi writes calmly and with good sense on topics that others have hyped mercilessly. This is one of a new generation of textbooks that highlight the important emerging concept of a super Turing-machine. B. Jack Copeland The Turing Project University of Canterbury New Zealand.

What are the philosophical implications of computers and the internet? A pessimist might see these new technologies as leading to the creation of vast encyclopaedic databases far exceeding the capacities of any individual. Yet Luciano Floridi takes a different view, aruging ingeniously for the optimistic conclusion that the computer revolution will lead instead to a reversal of the trend towards specialisation and a return to the Renaissance mind. Donald Gillies King's College, London

In his seminal book, Philosophy and Computing, Luciano Floridi provides a rich combination of technical information and philosophical insights necessary for the emerging field of philosophy and computing. James H. Moor Dartmouth College

Luciano Floridi's book discusses the most important and the latest branches of research in information technology. He approaches the subject from a novel philosophical viewpoint, while demonstrating a strong command of the relevant technicalities of the subject. The book, thanks to its clarity of treatment of technical materialis of great interest not only to philosophers but also to researchers in information systems and computer scientists. It will be helpful for the latter to gain a perspective of their field 'from above', removed from the bits and bytes of their everyday experience. Hava T. Siegelmann Faculty of Industrial Engineering Technion Israel