Computer Science, Logic, and Religion (Islam) : Amr Sabry

Computer Science, Logic, and
Religion (Islam)
Amr Sabry
Amr: the computer scientist
 Associate professor at Indiana
University
 Assistant professor at the University of
Oregon
 Postdoctoral researcher at Chalmers
University, Göteborg
 Ph.D. from Rice University
 M.Sc., B.Sc. from Cairo University
February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 2

Amr: the Muslim

Outline
 Computer Science
 Computability Theory; Logic
 Logic and Revelation
 Islam

What are computers good for?

Computers …
automate tasks and processes that

humans can do (generally a lot faster)

Easy tasks
 Sorting. For example,
3,6,1,10,22,0,2,15,18,9 becomes
0,1,2,3,6,9,10,15,18,22
 The record for sorting is 1 terabyte in 50
minutes
 1 terabyte = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes
(characters)
 1 terabyte: about the information contained
in a million unabridged dictionaries

Harder tasks
 Find p and q such that p*q = n
 It took the international community 17 years

to solve a challenge problem where n =
143816257578888676692357799761466120102182967212423625625618429357069352
45733897830597123563958705058989075147599290026879543541
 The RSA public key encryption relies on even
larger numbers: the whole thing is based on
the assumption that factoring large numbers
is a hard task for the computer!

More hard problems

Largest solved TSP instance
 15,112 cities
 110 processors
 22 years of
computation time

Status
There are lots of very important and

very interesting computational
problems that are hard to do with
current technology

Is there a limit …
or is it just a matter of buying and

building more powerful computers with
faster and faster processors, and
larger and larger memories?

Undecidable problems
 Theory of computation asserts that some

problems are undecidable (unsolvable in
principle, no matter how much computing
power you have!!!)
 Example: There is a program that you want

to download and execute. Before downloading
it, you want to check if it is a virus. Is it
possible to be absolutely certain that the
program is not a virus?

Perfect virus detection. Not.
 Assume that we have an  What happens if we execute
incredibly clever way to check weird(weird)?
that programs are safe…
 If our clever program says
// Let P be a program that the execution is safe,
// Assume that check(P,I) can the execution is actually not
// tell us whether it is safe to safe.
// execute program P with input
I  If our clever program says
the execution is not safe, the
execution is actually safe.
weird (p) =
if check(p,p)  So our clever technique can’t
then delete_all_files possibly exist!
else return_normally

Computers …
 … automate tasks and processes that
humans can do (generally a lot faster).
 There exist tasks that cannot be done

using computers.

Fine. So what?
The fact that computers cannot be

used to automate certain tasks implies
that rational thought (logic) is
inherently an unsound or incomplete
way of understanding the universe.

Logic
 Aristotle, the “first
teacher”
 Al-Farabi (‫) الفارابى‬,

the “second
teacher”
 Gödel

Aristotle…
 Start with axioms  If everything the
which denote “true” logic proves is “true”
facts then the logic is
called sound
 If everything that is
 Use rules of
“true” can be proved
inference to deduce then the logic is
more “true” facts called complete

Al-Farabi
 Applied logic to the study of language
(Arabic)
 Developed a philosophical method to

reconcile Islam and Aristotle’s logic
 Still believed that human reason was

superior to revelation.

Muslim Theologians
 Both reason and revelation necessary.
 Debated for 300 years, which is superior?
 The 3 brothers: the good brother is in Paradise, the
wicked brother is in Hell, and the one who died as a
child is in a place less than Paradise. The third brother
complains that by dying as a child he was not given the
opportunity to worship God and enter Paradise. To
this, God responds that dying early was better for him
because God foresaw that he would have grown up to
be wicked. To this the second brother asks why he
was not made to die at a young age?
 Consensus emerged that revelation is superior.

Gödel
 By the beginning of the 1900s, the consensus of the
mathematical community was that all of mathematical
facts could be derived using logic.
 Gödel in an astonishing 1931 article showed that this

was impossible.
 His argument is very similar to our argument that the

perfect virus detector cannot exist: a simple yet
devious mathematical fact which refers to itself in a
way that asserts that it can’t be proved.

Some quotes …
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, one of the big
mathematical goals was to reduce all of number theory to a
formal axiomatic system. Like Euclid's Geometry, such a
system would start off with a few simple axioms that are
almost indisputable, and would provide a mechanical way of
deriving theorems from those axioms. It was a very lofty goal.
The idea was that this system would represent every
statement you could possibly make about natural numbers. So
if you made the statement "every even number greater than
two is the sum of two primes," you would be able to prove
strictly and mechanically, from the axioms, that it is either
true or false. For real, die-hard mathematicians, the words
"true" and "false" would become shorthand for "provable" or
"disprovable" within the system. Russell and Whitehead's
Principia Mathematica was the most famous attempt to find
such a system, and seemed for a while to be the pinnacle of
mathematical rigor.

Continued…
Gödel's theorem dashed this hope completely. It didn't

just find a hole in Russell and Whitehead, which would
presumably have been patched: it showed that the entire
goal is unachievable. More specifically, Gödel showed
that for any formal axiomatic system, there is always a
statement about natural numbers which is true, but
which cannot be proven in the system. In other words,
mathematics will always have a little fuzziness around
the edges: it will never be the rigorous unshakable
system that mathematicians dreamed of for millennia.
Kenny Felder

More quotes…
Although this theorem can be stated and proved in a
rigorously mathematical way, what it seems to say is
that rational thought can never penetrate to the final
ultimate truth ... But, paradoxically, to understand
Gödel's proof is to find a sort of liberation. For many
logic students, the final breakthrough to full
understanding of the Incompleteness Theorem is
practically a conversion experience. This is partly a by-
product of the potent mystique Gödel's name carries.
But, more profoundly, to understand the essentially
labyrinthine nature of the castle is, somehow, to be
free of it.
Rucker, Infinity and the Mind

More quotes…
Gödel showed that provability is a weaker notion than truth, no
matter what axiom system is involved ...
The other metaphorical analogue to Gödel's Theorem which I

find provocative suggests that ultimately, we cannot
understand our own mind/brains ... Just as we cannot see our
faces with our own eyes, is it not inconceivable to expect that
we cannot mirror our complete mental structures in the
symbols which carry them out? All the limitative theorems of
mathematics and the theory of computation suggest that once
the ability to represent your own structure has reached a
certain critical point, that is the kiss of death: it guarantees
that you can never represent yourself totally.
Hofstadter, Gödel, Escher, Bach

More quotes
The symbolic systems we use to describe the universe are not separate
from the universe: they are a part of the universe just as we are a
part of the universe. Since we are within the system, our small
understandings are 'the system modeling itself' (system meaning
reality in this case). Completion of the model can never happen
because of the basic self-referential paradox: the model is within
the universe, so in effect the universe would have to be larger than
itself. Or you can view it iteratively: the model models the universe.
The universe includes the model. The model must model itself. The
model must model the model of itself.. ad absurdum.
So Gödel's incompleteness is something to expect. It is even

something that can be intuitively understood without a mathematical
approach and proof: the incompleteness concept appears in clearly
recognizable form in Zen Buddhism.
http://www.myrkul.org/recent/godel.htm

Our Universe Falsehood
Fact Fact
Fact
Falsehood
Fact Fact
Falsehood Fact
Fact Falsehood
But if you do believe in logic,
then logic shows that logic:
-either proves everything Fact Fact
including the falsehoods, or Fact Falsehood
- does not prove certain true Falsehood
facts. Fact
Fact Fact
Fact Fact
If you don’t believe in logic you can’t Falsehood
Falsehood
even distinguish facts from
falsehoods in this region. Fact

The Ultimate Truth
 Logic (rational thought) gets into
contradictions and is not appropriate beyond
a certain point.
 One can:
• Never venture beyond the limits of logic
• Venture beyond the limits of rational reason in

search of the truth

Searching for the truth
 Muslim theologians a thousand years
ago wrote the “Book of Five
Fundamentals” which starts as follows:
 If it is asked: What is the first duty

that God imposes upon you? Say to
him: Speculative reasoning which leads
to knowledge of God…

Revelation: mercy and guidance
 Speculative reasoning may go astray.
 Revelation is a mercy and guidance.
 [39:18] Those who listen to the word,
then follow the best of it; those are
they whom Allah has guided, and those
it is who are the men of understanding.

Main message of revelation
 Revelation repeats the same message
over and over and over:
 Think, reflect, speculate, reason, until
you believe
 Once you believe, you must believe in
the whole thing
 And then you must act to ascertain
that the belief is real.

First chapter of the Qur’an after the
opening prayer starts with…
2.1 A.L.M.
2.2 This is the Book; in it is guidance

sure, without doubt, to those who
fear Allah;
2.3 Who believe in the Unseen, are

steadfast in prayer, and spend out
of what We have provided for
them;
2.4 And who believe in the Revelation

sent to thee, and sent before thy
time, and (in their hearts) have the
assurance of the Hereafter.

Historically the first verses were…
[96.1] Read in the name of your Lord
Who created.
[96.2] He created man from a clot.
[96.3] Read and your Lord is Most
Honorable,
[96.4] Who taught (to write) with the
pen
[96.5] Taught man what he knew not.

Reflection…
[3.191] Those who remember Allah

standing and sitting and lying on their
sides and reflect on the creation of
the heavens and the earth: Our Lord!
Thou hast not created this in vain!
Glory be to Thee; save us then from
the chastisement of the fire:

Belief & speculative reason
75.36 Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled,

(without purpose)?
75.37 Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)?
75.38 Then did he become a leech-like clot; then did (Allah)

make and fashion (him) in due proportion.
75.39 And of him He made two sexes, male and female.
75.40 Has not He, (the same), the power to give life to the
dead?

Belief is not just lip service!
2.214 Or do ye think that ye shall enter the
Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as
came to those who passed away before
you? they encountered suffering and
adversity, and were so shaken in spirit
that even the Messenger and those of
faith who were with him cried: "When (will
come) the help of Allah?" Ah! Verily, the
help of Allah is (always) near!

Part of belief system: Money
 The Earth and all its resources belong to
God.
 Humans are trustees on Earth.
 The goal of a trustee is not to accumulate
resources at the expense of others, but
rather to work to multiply the resources
and then to make sure they reach those
who need them the most.

Proving your Belief: Money matters
 The bank promises you 7% interest (that is seen)
 God promises 700% for charity and even more (that is
unseen)
[2:261] The likeness of those who spend their wealth in

Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth
seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth
increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-
Embracing, All-Knowing.
 Are you going to put your money in a savings account or

give it to the poor?

Money: a test not a sign of honor
89.15 Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour
and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), "My Lord hath honoured me."
89.16 But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him,
then saith he (in despair), "My Lord hath humiliated me!"
89.17 Nay, nay! but ye honour not the orphans!
89.18 Nor do ye encourage one another to feed the poor!-
89.19 And ye devour inheritance - all with greed,
89.20 And ye love wealth with inordinate love!

How about charity without Belief?
 Not clear but:
18.103 Say: "Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of
their deeds?-
18.104 "Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they
thought that they were acquiring good by their works?"
18.105 They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord and the fact
of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their
works, nor shall We, on the Day of Judgment, give them any
weight.
18.106 That is their reward, Hell, because they rejected Faith, and
took My Signs and My Messengers by way of jest.

No guarantees anyway!
70.27 And those who are fearful of the

chastisement of their Lord--
70.28 Surely the chastisement of their

Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure
of--

So…
 Believe in the Unseen
 Reason speculatively
 Seek guidance
 Do your best
 Hope for the best
 Repeat…

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Computer Science, Logic, and

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 2

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 3

 Computability Theory; Logic

 Logic and Revelation

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 4

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 5

automate tasks and processes that

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 6

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 7

 It took the international community 17 years

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 8

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 9

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 10

There are lots of very important and

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 11

or is it just a matter of buying and

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 12

 Theory of computation asserts that some

 Example: There is a program that you want

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 13

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 14

 There exist tasks that cannot be done

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 15

The fact that computers cannot be

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 16

 Al-Farabi (‫) الفارابى‬,

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 17

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 18

 Developed a philosophical method to

 Still believed that human reason was

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 19

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 20

 Gödel in an astonishing 1931 article showed that this

 His argument is very similar to our argument that the

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 21

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 22

Gödel's theorem dashed this hope completely. It didn't

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 23

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 24

The other metaphorical analogue to Gödel's Theorem which I

Hofstadter, Gödel, Escher, Bach

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 25

So Gödel's incompleteness is something to expect. It is even

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 26

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 27

• Never venture beyond the limits of logic

• Venture beyond the limits of rational reason in

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 28

 If it is asked: What is the first duty

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 29

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 30

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 31

2.2 This is the Book; in it is guidance

2.3 Who believe in the Unseen, are

2.4 And who believe in the Revelation

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 32

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 33

[3.191] Those who remember Allah

February 3, 2002 Science and Spirit Association 34

75.36 Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled,

75.37 Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)?