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Philosophy and Computer Science Revisited

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the philosophy-goes-nicely-with-many-things dept.

Soren Kierkegaard writes "While reading the two-and-a-half-year-old Slashdot post on Does Philosophy have a role in Computer Science, it occurred to me that over these past few years Philosophy has a more prominent role in Computer Science then ever before. Cognitive Science and Computer Ethics are more established disciplines in universities, and the numbers of philosophy graduates double majoring in computer science and information systems are climbing. Is a merger of Philosophy, a discipline steeped in history and intelligent thought, and Computer Science, a discipline that looks to the future, the best of both worlds?"

4 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Reading two and a half year old slashdot? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    While reading the two and a half year old Slashdot post

    Get out much?

  2. Everyone should study some philosophy by davidwr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now, whether that's in a formal course like "Philosophy 101" or whether it's embedded in other courses, like ethics course content spread throughout an engineering curriculum or programming philosophies spread throughout programming courses, isn't all that important.

    What is important is that by the time you graduate, you understand both why there are so many different world views for "big picture" things like the responsibilities of citizens, the rights of individuals vs. the rights of the collective or state, etc. as well as why there are different views on "details" like different coding standards and different standards of business ethics.

    By knowing many of these views and by understanding why different people have different views, you will be better prepared to know why you adopt the views you adopt, and be able to explain your reasons to others. You will also be better equipped to understand why your boss or coworker may have a different view, and whether that difference is a reason for you to re-evaluate your views, agree to disagree, or circulate your resume.

    This is why philosophy should be taught in school. Graduates should also continue a lifetime of self-study.

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. Re:Logic is programming by Hellcom · · Score: 5, Informative

    What are you talking about? Logic is a branch of philosophy, and has been for millenniums and formally founded by Plato and Aristotle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_logic