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I think the best example of this sort of thing is in Epstein and Axtell's 'Sugarscape' work (see their short but seminal book: "Growing Artificial Societies: Social Science from the Bottom Up"), and overall in the multi-agent simulation (MAS) field (though I don't know of any other solid specific references offhand). IMO this area of 'generative social science' is going to be increasingly important as our tools, models, and understanding increase. Mike Sellers Online Alchemy -----Original Message----- From: News and discussion about computer simulation in the social sciences [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Thomas Kron Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 9:08 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Simulation and Explanation Dear All, I'm searching for paper about the relation of computer simulation and explanation, especially sociological explanation. I think that sociologists need simulation necessarily if they take the dynamics of interaction more serious (and they should do so if they try to explain using social mechanisms). But I don't feel really confident about it. Can you help me? Thank you, Thomas Kron Dr. Thomas Kron University of Hagen Fleyer Str. 204 58084 Hagen Germany Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Internet: http://www.fernuni-hagen.de/SOZ/SOZ2/Kron