Abstract
Simulation is essential
for theory-testing and building, meaning by a theory an explicit
assertion about what generates either actual or virtual
phenomena. The first question that will be addressed during the talk is what
is an explicit theory and whether a computer program can be seen as an
explicit theory. The second question will concern the type of phenomena
addressed. Scientists theorize upon phenomena as observed in nature or in
society or in culture, but also about phenomena that are not yet in nature
as such, and finally, that can be described in an inter-subjectively
understandable way. Virtual phenomena have a great potential for abstraction
and for scientific understanding. Indeed, most of the real advances in
science, technology and culture result from our capacity to generate
phenomena with our mind. However, from there one needs to go further. The
circuit is indeed rather complex: from theory (at a rather abstract level)
to simulation (theory-building) to theory (more explicit) to simulation and
other data (for theory-testing)...
Nigel Gilbert
CRESS, University of Surrey, UK
N.gilbert@surrey.ac.uk
"Kiss and Tell: In Praise of Abstraction"
Abstract
In this talk, I’ll consider what has achieved a lasting impact in the field
of social simulation during the last decade. I’ll suggest that the most
influential contributions have been the ones that start from a simple and
abstract idea and develop its implications to clarify and understand a
‘social mechanism’ that seems to be applicable in a wide range of artificial
and natural societies. Such ‘abstract social processes’ are powerful ideas,
but they don’t seem to have any immediate practical applicability. At the
other end of the spectrum, there are studies that aim to contribute to
practical, policy-relevant issues, and although there are many of these,
often based on well-funded and large-scale research, it is hard to find any
that have actually had any significant impact outside the academic
community, and that have been taken up by ‘users’. The implications of this
are considered for topics such as the relevance of validation, the
possibility of the accumulation of knowledge, and methods for simulation
research.