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  • © 2017

The Incomputable

Journeys Beyond the Turing Barrier

  • Core aspect of Turing's scientific legacy, uniting the areas of (in)computability theory and Big Science
  • Valuable for researchers in the areas of theoretical computer science, mathematical logic, and philosophy
  • Examines why not all features of the real world are captured by classical models of computability

Part of the book series: Theory and Applications of Computability (THEOAPPLCOM)

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Introduction

    • Mariya I. Soskova
    Pages 1-8
  3. Challenging Turing: Extended Models of Computation

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9
    2. Ivan Soskov: A Life in Computability

      • Hristo Ganchev, Dimiter Skordev
      Pages 11-46
    3. Physical Logic

      • Kate Clements, Fay Dowker, Petros Wallden
      Pages 47-61
  4. The Search for “Natural” Examples of Incomputable Objects

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 81-81
    2. Uncomputability and Physical Law

      • Seth Lloyd
      Pages 95-104
  5. Mind, Matter and Computation

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 121-121
    2. Is Quantum Physics Relevant for Life?

      • Vlatko Vedral
      Pages 123-131
  6. The Nature of Information: Complexity and Randomness

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 141-141
    2. Complexity Barriers as Independence

      • Antonina Kolokolova
      Pages 143-168
    3. Quantum Randomness: From Practice to Theory and Back

      • Cristian S. Calude
      Pages 169-181
    4. Calculus of Cost Functions

      • André Nies
      Pages 183-216
  7. The Mathematics of Emergence and Morphogenesis

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 217-217
    2. Turing’s Theory of Morphogenesis: Where We Started, Where We Are and Where We Want to Go

      • Thomas E. Woolley, Ruth E. Baker, Philip K. Maini
      Pages 219-235
    3. Construction Kits for Biological Evolution

      • Aaron Sloman
      Pages 237-292

About this book

This book questions the relevance of computation to the physical universe. Our theories deliver computational descriptions, but the gaps and discontinuities in our grasp suggest a need for continued discourse between researchers from different disciplines, and this book is unique in its focus on the mathematical theory of incomputability and its relevance for the real world. The core of the book consists of thirteen chapters in five parts on extended models of computation; the search for natural examples of incomputable objects; mind, matter, and computation; the nature of information, complexity, and randomness; and the mathematics of emergence and morphogenesis.

This book will be of interest to researchers in the areas of theoretical computer science, mathematical logic, and philosophy.

Reviews

“The incomputable explores selected recent research into various aspects of computability. This includes abstract models of computation, how quantum algorithms could in some sense redefine aspects of computability, and how the notion of computability relates to the physical world and physical processes. The book leads with a tribute to the late Ivan Soskov, a Bulgarian computer scientist who dedicated his professional career to studying computability theories, particularly computability over abstract structures.” (G. R. Mayforth,Computing Reviews, March, 2018) ​

Editors and Affiliations

  • School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom

    S. Barry Cooper

  • Dept. of Mathematical Logic & Applications, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Mariya I. Soskova

About the editors

Prof. S. Barry Cooper was a Professor of Pure Mathematics at the University of Leeds. He was the founding President of the Computability in Europe Association, and a prolific author and editor in the domain of computability. He championed Alan Turing's achievements in logic and computer science, and in particular he motivated and organized cross-disciplinary collaborations, among them the events, publications and broadcasts of the Alan Turing Year in 2012.

Dr. Mariya I. Soskova is an associate professor in the Dept. of Mathematical Logic and Applications in Sofia University. She was recently a visiting scholar at the University of California, and a visiting seminar professor at the Dept. of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access