COMPUTATION (Concepts of)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 577 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
Acccording to Cl. EMMECHE there are two distinct concepts of computation . The first one is the representational concept, i.e. “… logical operations on symbols that can be defined purely syntactically , but which nevertheless signify specific numbers and mathematical operations (i.e. concepts with a semantic content by which we attempt to solve a specific mathematical problem…”)
The second one is the physical, or non representational concept, i.e. “… processes that not only take place in a trivial sense in physical systems (or models of these) and are therefore dependent on their dynamics , but which are essentially inherent in these processes and demand no further interpretation or adscription of meaning ” (C. EMMECHE, 1994, p.127-8)
The first concept corresponds to any programmed digital computer . The second one would for example be related to the computational activity of neurons in the brain.