How Do You Spell CHURCH THESIS?

Pronunciation: [t͡ʃˈɜːt͡ʃ θˈiːsɪs] (IPA)

The Church thesis, also known as Church-Turing thesis, is a fundamental concept in computer science and mathematics. Its spelling is based on the last name of Alonzo Church, an American logician and mathematician who first proposed the idea. The word "Church" is pronounced with a ʧ sound (IPA phonetic transcription /tʃərtʃ/), which is similar to the sound in "chop" or "cherry." The second syllable is unstressed and pronounced with a schwa, /θiːsɪs/.

CHURCH THESIS Meaning and Definition

1. The Church thesis, also known as Church-Turing thesis or Church's thesis, is a fundamental concept in the field of computer science and the philosophy of mind. It asserts that any effectively computable function can be calculated by using an algorithm implemented on a Turing machine. The thesis is named after the American mathematician, logician, and philosopher Alonzo Church, who formulated it in the 1930s.

   In essence, the Church thesis implies that any computation that can be performed by a human being, following a well-defined set of instructions, can also be carried out by a Turing machine. A Turing machine, in this context, refers to a hypothetical device with an infinite tape and a head that can read, write, and move on the tape based on a set of predetermined rules.

   According to Church, the thesis reflects the notion of effective computability, meaning that any function that can be effectively and systematically solved or evaluated is regarded as computable. The Church thesis is foundational to the field of computation, as it defines the boundaries of what can and cannot be computed.

   However, it is important to note that the Church thesis is not a provable statement and cannot be mathematically proven. It is more of a hypothesis or a guiding principle that has withstood various attempts to disprove it over the years. Nonetheless, it remains a cornerstone in the development of theoretical computer science, impacting the design and development of computers and algorithms.

Etymology of CHURCH THESIS

The word "church thesis" is derived from the name of the mathematician Alonzo Church, who is credited with formulating this theory. The "thesis" part refers to the concept being an assertion or proposition in a particular field of study. The Church thesis, also known as Church-Turing thesis, proposes the idea that any effectively computable function can be calculated by a computational device known as the Turing machine. This thesis has played a significant role in the development of theoretical computer science.