Is Mind Just a Computation? - How Computer Science Dispels the Myths of the Age of AI

Aug 7, 2026

Upload by Violet

Is Mind Just a Computation? investigates whether machines can truly think and whether the human mind is reducible to computation. The book connects computer science, physics, and philosophy of mind through rigorous, accessible reasoning grounded in mainstream science. It addresses two core questions: whether a computer program can be sentient and whether consciousness follows from computation alone. Readers benefit from entertaining explanations and included source code to test and verify key arguments, supporting both newcomers and advanced learners in AI and mind studies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages517

Reading Time21 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Acknowledgments

Author

Prologue

Introduction

The alien robot

Are you a robot?

The blasphemy of the age of AI and materialism

What to expect from this book

The veil of convention

The alien device

The mysterious device

The eightfold way

The user interface conspiracy

The illusion of objectivity

Are bits objective?

Memory is convention

[OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Is Mind Just a Computation? In an era dominated by Artificial Intelligence, the question of whether machines can truly think has never been more pressing. This book takes readers on a rigorous yet accessible journey through Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics to tackle two questions: 1. Can a computer program be sentient? 2. Is the human mind reducible to computation? The author introduces essential concepts in an entertaining style, guiding readers through this exciting topic. The book even includes source code that allows readers to test and verify key arguments themselves. This book is for anyone intrigued by the nature of mind and machine: from curious lay readers to philosophers, computer scientists, and AI enthusiasts. It serves as an engaging introduction for beginners while offering fresh perspectives for experts. It will also be of interest to senior undergraduate and graduate students, where it can be used as supplementary material in courses on Computer Science, AI, and Philosophy of Mind. Key Features Offers a rigorous, verifiable argument grounded in mainstream science, with no speculative physics. Includes real source code and challenges for readers to explore and validate concepts hands-on. Combines Computer Science, Physics, and Philosophy of Mind in away that is both educational and thought-provoking. Dr. Ovidiu Cristinel Stoica researches Theoretical Physics at the Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Romania. He is interested in foundational questions about the universe, preferring geometric and group-theoretic approaches whenever possible. His research areas include General Relativity, in particular black hole and Big Bang singularities, foundations of Quantum Mechanics, and the Standard Model of particle physics. Before, he taught mathematics and, most of the time, developed advanced algorithms of computational geometry for the private sector. All this time, he was preoccupied with questions about the nature of consciousness and how it fits in the rigid structure of the physical laws. His essays on physics received several prizes from the Foundational Questions Institute. This book is the result of combining his passions for the applications of symmetries in physics, Computer Science, mathematics, teaching, and understanding the place of consciousness in the physical world. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Is Mind Just a Computation? How Computer Science Dispels the Myths of the Age of AI Ovidiu Cristinel Stoica [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Designed cover image: Stoica First edition published [2026] by CRC Press 2385 NW Executive Center Drive, Suite 320, Boca Raton, FL 33431 and by CRC Press 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RNCRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC © 2026 Stoica Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or the consequences of their use. The authors and publishers have attempted to trace the copyright holders of all material reproduced in this publication and apologize to copyright holders if permission to publish in this form has not been obtained. If any copyright material has not been acknowledged, please write and let us know so we may rectify in any future reprint. Except as permitted under U.S. Copyright Law, no part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. For permission to photocopy or use material electronically from this work, access [www.copyright.com](www.copyright.com or)[ or](www.copyright.com or) contact the Copyright Clearance Ce

FAQs

What two main questions does the book focus on?

It asks whether a computer program can be sentient, and whether the human mind is reducible to computation.

What disciplines does the author combine to explore the problem of mind and AI?

The book integrates computer science, physics, and philosophy of mind to build its arguments.

How do readers interact with the arguments beyond reading the text?

The book includes source code and challenges that let readers test and verify key arguments hands-on.

Aug 7, 2026

Upload by Violet