The principle of computational equivalence states that systems found in the natural world can perform computations up to a maximal ("universal") level of computational power, and that most systems do in fact attain this maximal level of computational power. Consequently, most systems are computationally equivalent.

Almost all processes that are not obviously simple can be viewed as computations of equivalent sophistication.

PCE

formulation date | 2002 (24 years ago) formulator | Stephen Wolfram status | open

mathematical principles | unsolved mathematics problems