计算与实在——当代计算主义思潮剖析

Computationalism originating from modern science is becoming a new world view. On the basis of the description and analysis of computational thoughts in the advanced fields of science, this paper points out that the ontological commitment maintaining the idea that the essence of reality is computational, is not only logically consistent, but also supported by scientific achievements and philosophical tradition. Then, it also discusses the root metaphor of computationalism-general computer, pointing out that this root metaphor is different from any other ontological hypotheses, because a general computer can in principle simulate the structure and the evolution of universe, which implies that reality is self-reflective. Finally, it analyzes how computationalism is changing the way of human cognition, and defends the intelligibility of physical world from the perspective of ontological, cognitional and methodological viewpoint.