Mechanizing proof : computing, risk, and trust / Donald MacKenzie.

By:

MacKenzie, Donald A

Material type: Text

text

Media type:

computer

Carrier type:

online resource

ISBN:

9780262278829
0262278820
0585436738
9780585436739
9780262632959
0262632950
9780262133937
0262133938

Subject(s): Genre/Form:

Additional physical formats: Print version:: Mechanizing proof.DDC classification:

004/.2/1 21

LOC classification:

QA76.76.R44 M36 2001eb

Online resources:

Click here to access online

Contents:

1. Knowing computers -- 2. Boardwalks across the Tar Pit -- 3. Artificial mathematicians? -- 4. Eden defiled -- 5. Covert channels -- 6. Social processes and category mistakes -- 7. Clocks and chips -- 8. Logics, machines, and trust -- 9. Machines, proofs, and cultures.

Summary: Most aspects of our private and social lives--our safety, the integrity of the financial system, the functioning of utilities and other services, and national security--now depend on computing. But how can we know that this computing is trustworthy? In Mechanizing Proof, Donald MacKenzie addresses this key issue by investigating the interrelations of computing, risk, and mathematical proof over the last half century from the perspectives of history and sociology. His discussion draws on the technical literature of computer science and artificial intelligence and on extensive interviews with participants.MacKenzie argues that our culture now contains two ideals of proof: proof as traditionally conducted by human mathematicians, and formal, mechanized proof. He describes the systems constructed by those committed to the latter ideal and the many questions those systems raise about the nature of proof. He looks at the primary social influence on the development of automated proof--the need to predict the behavior of the computer systems upon which human life and security depend--and explores the involvement of powerful organizations such as the National Security Agency. He concludes that in mechanizing proof, and in pursuing dependable computer systems, we do not obviate the need for trust in our collective human judgment.

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Item type	Home library	Collection	Call number	Materials specified	Status	Date due	Barcode
Electronic-Books	OPJGU Sonepat- Campus	E-Books EBSCO			Available

Includes bibliographical references (pages 335-418) and index.

Print version record.

Most aspects of our private and social lives--our safety, the integrity of the financial system, the functioning of utilities and other services, and national security--now depend on computing. But how can we know that this computing is trustworthy? In Mechanizing Proof, Donald MacKenzie addresses this key issue by investigating the interrelations of computing, risk, and mathematical proof over the last half century from the perspectives of history and sociology. His discussion draws on the technical literature of computer science and artificial intelligence and on extensive interviews with participants.MacKenzie argues that our culture now contains two ideals of proof: proof as traditionally conducted by human mathematicians, and formal, mechanized proof. He describes the systems constructed by those committed to the latter ideal and the many questions those systems raise about the nature of proof. He looks at the primary social influence on the development of automated proof--the need to predict the behavior of the computer systems upon which human life and security depend--and explores the involvement of powerful organizations such as the National Security Agency. He concludes that in mechanizing proof, and in pursuing dependable computer systems, we do not obviate the need for trust in our collective human judgment.