Corey Maley (University of Kansas)
Analog computation has been neglected in the philosophical literature. The received view is that analog computation essentially involves the manipulation of continuous variables. Careful attention to the theory and practice of analog computation reveals that there is more to analog computation, given the presence of numerous discontinuous variables. I argue that providing an account of analog computation is important both for a more general, complete account of computation that includes digital, analog, and perhaps others as species, in turn giving those interested in computational explanation more resources when making claims about the computational capacities of natural systems. Given that continuity is not sufficient to account for analog computation, I invoke a recent theory of analog representation, and argue that it fits with how analog computation actually worked. I explain what it is that makes analog computation "analog," and what it is that makes analog computation "computation."
