This book investigates the fundamental question of what constitutes physical computation and how it relates to the broader physical world. Oron Shagrir, a professor of philosophy and cognitive science, examines the conceptual foundations of computational theories in both computer science and neuroscience. He provides a rigorous framework for distinguishing between systems that merely simulate computation and those that perform genuine physical computation, drawing on historical developments and contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the philosophy of computation, noting its technical rigor and clarity in addressing complex ontological questions. Readers frequently highlight the text's utility for advanced students and researchers in cognitive science and the philosophy of mind.