Alexis added to my list of threads:
> 4. What is the role assigned by each of us to simulation and how does it
> influence our methodological or theoretical choices ? (by "role", I
> essentially mean "goal", in fact : prediction, explanation, exploratory
> work, pedagogical work, model shaping, etc. )
This seems to me to be the really important question underlying the whole
discussion. It is prior to the three questions I raised and close to the
issues raised in Bruce's original paper. Perhaps it is the zeroth rather than
the fourth question.
It may also be useful to try to extract it from the filigree of the discussion.
>From my point of view, the key feature of agent based simulation is that it
enables us (1) to analyse the process of interaction among autonomous entities
and (2) to relate individual behaviour to the properties of the system of
individuals. I believe that all participants in the discussion hold this view.
My evidence for this belief is
* Until now, no one in the discussion has even mentioned the word
"equilibrium" -- a concept which is wholly irrelevant to anyone concerned
with the process of interaction.
* Much of the discussion has been about the nature of the relationship
between individual behaviour and the properties of the multi agent system
(which could be either a social or a software system). While I imagine
this is how sociologists would define their discipline, it is also what
those of us who come to MABS from other (social and computer science)
disciplines have had to confront in order to design and implement our
models.
Would it be correct to say that, for all of us, the type of goal is either to
analyse the process and consequences of interaction or to analyse the
relationship between system and individual? If so, would it also be correct to
say that those interested in process see the relationship between individual
and system as an outcome while those interested in the individual-system
relationship see the nature of the interaction process as an outcome?
The specific goals will be prediction, explanation, etc. as suggested by
Alexis. But the modelling approach will be indicated by the interest in
process or social-individual relationships.
--
Professor Scott Moss
Director
Centre for Policy Modelling
Manchester Metropolitan University
Aytoun Building
Manchester M1 3GH
UNITED KINGDOM
telephone: +44 (0)161 247 3886
fax: +44 (0)161 247 6802
http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/~scott
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