Mechanizing Proof: Computing, Risk, and Trust

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Donald Mackenzie (University of Edinburgh) Wiebe E. Bijker (Professor of Technology and Society, Maastricht University)

Mechanizing Proof

Computing, Risk, and Trust

Donald Mackenzie (University of Edinburgh), Wiebe E. Bijker (Professor of Technology and Society, Maastricht University), W. Bernard Carlson (Professor of Science, Technology, and Society, University of Virginia) , Trevor Pinch (Professor of Science and Technology Studies and Professor of Sociology, Cornell University)

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English

MIT Press
30 January 2004

Impact of science & technology on society

Series: Inside Technology

Most aspects of our private and social lives-our safety, the integrity of the financial system, the functioning of utilities and other services, and national security-now depend on computing. But how can we know that this computing is trustworthy? In Mechanizing Proof, Donald MacKenzie addresses this key issue by investigating the interrelations of computing, risk, and mathematical proof over the last half century from the perspectives of history and sociology. His discussion draws on the technical literature of computer science and artificial intelligence and on extensive interviews with participants.

MacKenzie argues that our culture now contains two ideals of proof- proof as traditionally conducted by human mathematicians, and formal, mechanized proof. He describes the systems constructed by those committed to the latter ideal and the many questions those systems raise about the nature of proof. He looks at the primary social influence on the development of automated proof-the need to predict the behavior of the computer systems upon which human life and security depend-and explores the involvement of powerful organizations such as the National Security Agency. He concludes that in mechanizing proof, and in pursuing dependable computer systems, we do not obviate the need for trust in our collective human judgment.

By: Donald Mackenzie (University of Edinburgh)
Series edited by: Wiebe E. Bijker (Professor of Technology and Society Maastricht University), W. Bernard Carlson (Professor of Science, Technology, and Society, University of Virginia), Trevor Pinch (Professor of Science and Technology Studies and Professor of Sociology, Cornell University)
Imprint: MIT Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 635g
ISBN: 9780262632959
ISBN 10: 0262632950
Series: Inside Technology
Pages: 440
Publication Date: 30 January 2004
Recommended Age: From 18 years
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Donald MacKenzie is Professor of Sociology (Personal Chair) at the University of Edinburgh. His books include Inventing Accuracy (1990), Knowing Machines (1996), and Mechanizing Proof (2001), all published by the MIT Press. Portions of An Engine, not a Camera won the Viviana A. Zelizer Prize in economic sociology from the American Sociological Association.

Reviews for Mechanizing Proof: Computing, Risk, and Trust

"""A most readable account of how program verification came to promise so much and deliver so little."" - Richard Clayton, The Times Higher Education Supplement"""

Winner of <PrizeName>Winner of the 2003 Robert K. Merton Book Award presented by the Science, Knowledge, and Technology section of the American Sociological Association.</PrizeName> 2003
Winner of American Sociological Association Science, Knowledge & Technology Section Robert K. Merton Award 2003.
Winner of Winner of the 2003 Robert K. Merton Book Award presented by the Science, Knowledge, and Technology section of the American Sociological Association. 2003

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Mechanizing Proof

Computing, Risk, and Trust

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