Kathleen says
>The issue here is not "what is generate by the program" but "the
>program itself"
what is generated by is often not (explicitly) represented in the
program. Inn this sense, the latter cannot be seen as a theory of the
former.
>Again, for many AI people and logicians, current logical formalisms
>are incapable of representing core ideas in some agent models - such
>as knowing not requiring infinite regress.
that's why it is necessary to keep distinct theory, its formal
expression, and its implementation. Certainly, existing logics are
insufficient to express a lot of things (motivations even more than
knowledge). They express a subset of existing theories on mental
states and processes. But the same is true for computational
implementations.
>For these models - new "logics" are needed. Until then, the program
>itself is the logic and is the theory.
perhaps the logic, but not the theory (see above)
> The results generated by the simulation are the hypotheses or predictions.
I would say they are often data in need of explanation
>Here I would say that the simulation results are used to uncover or
>observe the processes - but the simulation model is a formal
>description of the process. The language in the model is just a
>distinct symbol system for explicit;y formulatingof the theory.
The issue here is the explicitness. A painting by Picasso generates
emotions but is not a theory of them. In some sense, one can say that
emotions are incorporated into the painting, but not in an explicit
way.
>
>I would suggest that this is a philosphy of science question
>involving, among other issues, as to what are the features that make
>a symbol system adeqaute for formulating theory.
right. I think it would be important to have such a public discussion
somewhere.
Rosaria Conte
National Research Council, Institute of Cognitive Science and
Technology, V.LE Marx 15, 00137 Roma.
LABSS (Laboratory of Agent Based Social Simulation)
& University of Siena - Communication Sciences - "Social Psychology"
voice:+39+06+86090210;
fax:+39+06+824737;
cell. 3355354626
email: [log in to unmask] - http://www.istc.cnr.it/lss/
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