Bruce,
interesting this - if you look at my last question I asked:
> My next question. In our field MAS, MABS etc. what are the 'real' entities
> in this sense?
That is precisely about the relationship between abstractions and and real
domains of practice.
Incidently I don't think anyone has come up with any answers yet....
(and, yes everyone seems pretty well primed in the philosophy side - what I
am rooting around for is more of the science)
Alan
----- Original Message -----
From: Bruce Edmonds <[log in to unmask]>
To: SimSoc Mailing List <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 9:31 AM
Subject: Re: on modeling and social science
> My paper criticised situations where abstractions are played with that
> are never connected with real problems/domains/practice. This
> discussion has been a prime example of this. Where is the verification
> or validation of all this philosophy in the practice of actual social
> simulation?
>
> It is notable that the philosophy of science has very much moved towards
> describing how science etc. is *actually* done rather than merely
> arguing about metaphysics.
>
> If you are going to philosophise, please:
>
> 1. Read up on the existing philosophy first (a good pragmatic
> introduction is Giere, R, "Explaining science : a cognitive approach",
> University of Chicago Press 1988)
>
> 2. Think how the philosophy would actually either be testable or
> helpful to anyone. If it is neither it is useless!
>
>
> Regards.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> Bruce Edmonds,
> Centre for Policy Modelling,
> Manchester Metropolitan University, Aytoun Bldg.,
> Aytoun St., Manchester, M1 3GH. UK.
> Tel: +44 161 247 6479 Fax: +44 161 247 6802
> http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/~bruce
>
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