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Foreword After about fifteen years since my first book about computer epistemology was published, i decided to complete a review of further progress in computer science and of my own personal views and experience. i found shortly that the original book is still valid, nothing had to be corrected, but there was much to add, especially regarding the epistemic lessons and their background in mathematical basics. Concerning these, an introductory chapter explains the epistemic relations of computer science and the information age. it emphasizes the role of computers in the transformation of communicational contents. Computers have emerged as the intermediate agent of most of our activities. The second chapter is devoted to the fundamental role of algebra , the developmental origin of formal thinking, necessary for the formalization of any task. The third chapter follows the line of this formalization by algebra and the fourth is devoted to all problems beyond logical formalization —the uncertainty issue. The last chapter is a return to the epistemic lesson, to the constructive skepticism idea. This essay does not claim to be a textbook, nor does it have the required precision of such a kind. This is the reason for several soft definitions, for the abbreviated explanations in the appendices, and for the relevant role and caricaturist style of the illustrations. The appendices are short references to necessary conceptual knowledge, specific information, and some definitions. This kind of interpretation opens the pitfalls of reductionism into the abyss of trivialities. The essential ideas of science look to be obvious after a period of sedimentation and this further i3 Vámos.indb 7 2/5/10 4:10:52 PM 8 KNOWLEDGE AND COMPUTING crystallization help the observers in getting a birds-eye view over rather wide disciplines. Newtonian mechanics and maxwellian electrodynamics can be referred as examples. This mental-learning process elevates simultaneously the gist of the subject and hides the real depth of the problem and of the related ways of thinking. This is the reason why i try to define the character of the work, and offer the reader an apology for the soft style. The references to the literature suggest textbooks for those who would like to get more professional knowledge. i3 Vámos.indb 8 2/5/10 4:10:52 PM ...

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