[muyfine]

My favorite quote around this is from SICP's preface:

Underlying our approach to this subject is our conviction that 'computer science' is not a science and that its significance has little to do with computers. The computer revolution is a revolution in the way we think and in the way we express what we think. The essence of this change is the emergence of what might best be called procedural epistemology -- the study of the structure of knowledge from an imperative point of view, as opposed to the more declarative point of view taken by classical mathematical subjects. Mathematics provides a framework for dealing precisely with notions of 'what is.' Computation provides a framework for dealing precisely with notions of 'how to.'

[sotojuan]

And the quote that made me interested in CS, from the online lectures of the same book:

"[As] opposed to other kinds of engineering, where the constraints on what you can build are the constraints of physical systems ... the constraints imposed in building large software systems are the limitations of our own minds."

[primitivesuave]

This poignant passage really stuck with me when I first picked up SICP in college. Thank you for reminding me of it!

Time to peruse my bookshelf for other inspiring quotes.

[J5892]

I'm not sure I'd be able to find a job if I told people I have a degree in procedural epistemology.