The alternative point of view has been put forward out of the AI and DAI
tradition.
The argument there is that the simulation is the theory. If one
believes the Turing test, or the social analog, The Social Turing test
then the fundamental mechanisms will be discovered through the
development of a valid computational model. In addition, no verbal
theory completely specifies the mechanism ley alone the dynamic
unfolding process, particularly for complex adaptive systems. The
simulation is needed to uncover and describe these. Even when the
author starts with a verbal theory key foundational assumptions are
typically found to be missing that need to be supplied by the simulation
author. The simulation is, in essense, just another language for
describing the theory. And like the verbal theory, the simulation can
be used to derive predictions that can be tested.
Kathleen Carley
Director Center for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational
Systems
ps don't forget the CMOT, CASOS and now NAACSOS conferences or ESSA.
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