Re: Epistemology 201: The Science of Science

From: robert j. kolker (nowhere_at_nowhere.net)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 09:57:13 -0500

Jason wrote:
>
> Exhaustion and testing by algorithm is not so formal. The computer has to be
> trusted to be doing the right task. I don't know about yours, but my computer
> is not to be trusted at the best of times. Let alone the software I write...

Von Neuman proved that an arbitrarily reliable automaton could be
constructed from unreliable parts, as long as the errors were
statistically independent.

If you want high reliability go to an engineer. If you want certainty,
go to church.

Bob Kolker

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