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    Physical realizability is not the sole criterion of theor... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Parallel computation using exponentially many processors relative to input size would be of little practical significance

    Physical realizability is not the sole criterion of theoretical significance; complexity classes defined by exponential parallelism illuminate fundamental structural boundaries in computation.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Physical realizability alone excludes theoretically rich structures (e.g., Turing machines) that reveal computation's abstract limits.
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    • 2.Exponential parallelism classes like NC and PRAM identify qualitative jumps in problem solvability independent of physical implementation.
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    • 3.Understanding computational boundaries requires abstract model diversity; physical constraints are empirical questions, not theoretical foundations.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
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    • 1.Exponential parallelism assumes unlimited communication and synchronization—physically unrealizable constraints that distort theoretical relevance.
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    • 2.Without grounding in physical realizability, complexity classes become mathematical artifacts disconnected from what computation actually achieves.
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    • 3.Fundamental structural boundaries should reflect real-world constraints; idealized models risk identifying pseudo-boundaries irrelevant to practice.
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    Key Terms

    Complexity classes(as used in computer science and philosophy of computation)
    In computer science, groups of problems sorted by how hard they are to solve—roughly, how much computing power and time they require.
    Exponential parallelism(as used in computational theory)
    A computing approach where problems can be solved simultaneously by dividing them into many copies that grow at an extremely rapid rate.
    Physical realizability(the other meaning of 'simulation' in the argument)
    Whether something can actually be built or created in the real, physical world (not just in theory).
    Structural boundaries in computation(as used in theoretical computer science)
    The fundamental limits and dividing lines that define what can and cannot be computed, based on how information is processed.
    Theoretical significance(as used in philosophy of science)
    How important or meaningful something is for understanding a theory or idea, regardless of whether it has practical use.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedSkepticism1 linked

    Related

    Exponential parallelism assumes unlimited communication and synchronization—phys...Exponential parallelism classes like NC and PRAM identify qualitative jumps in p...Fundamental structural boundaries should reflect real-world constraints; idealiz...Parallel computation using exponentially many processors relative to input size ...
    +3 moreShow less
    Physical realizability alone excludes theoretically rich structures (e.g., Turin...Understanding computational boundaries requires abstract model diversity; physic...

    Details

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    Without grounding in physical realizability, complexity classes become mathemati...