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OverviewMost 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. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Donald Mackenzie (University of Edinburgh) , Wiebe E. Bijker (Professor of Technology and Society, Maastricht University) , W. Bernard Carlson (Professor of Science, Technology, and Society, University of Virginia) , Trevor Pinch (Professor of Science and Technology Studies and Professor of Sociology, Cornell University)Publisher: MIT Press Ltd Imprint: MIT Press Edition: New edition Dimensions: Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm Weight: 0.635kg ISBN: 9780262632959ISBN 10: 0262632950 Pages: 440 Publication Date: 30 January 2004 Recommended Age: From 18 years Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: Manufactured on demand We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier. Table of ContentsReviews"""A most readable account of how program verification came to promise so much and deliver so little."" - Richard Clayton, The Times Higher Education Supplement""" A most readable account of how program verification came to promise so much and deliver so little. - Richard Clayton, The Times Higher Education Supplement Author InformationDonald MacKenzie is Professor of Sociology (Personal Chair) at the University of Edinburgh. His books include Inventing Accuracy (1990), Knowing Machines (1996), and Mechanizing Proof (2001), all published by the MIT Press. Portions of An Engine, not a Camera won the Viviana A. Zelizer Prize in economic sociology from the American Sociological Association. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |