Abstract
This lecture treats some enduring misconceptions about modeling. One of these is that the goal is always prediction. The lecture distinguishes between explanation and prediction as modeling goals, and offers sixteen reasons other than prediction to build a model. It also challenges the common assumption that scientific theories arise from and 'summarize' data, when often, theories precede and guide data collection; without theory, in other words, it is not clear what data to collect. Among other things, it also argues that the modeling enterprise enforces habits of mind essential to freedom. It is based on the author's 2008 Bastille Day keynote address to the Second World Congress on Social Simulation, George Mason University, and earlier addresses at the Institute of Medicine, the University of Michigan, and the Santa Fe Institute.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | JASSS |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Oct 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Computer Science (miscellaneous)
Cite this
Why model? / Epstein, Joshua M.
In: JASSS, Vol. 11, No. 4, 10.2008.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Why model?
AU - Epstein, Joshua M.
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - This lecture treats some enduring misconceptions about modeling. One of these is that the goal is always prediction. The lecture distinguishes between explanation and prediction as modeling goals, and offers sixteen reasons other than prediction to build a model. It also challenges the common assumption that scientific theories arise from and 'summarize' data, when often, theories precede and guide data collection; without theory, in other words, it is not clear what data to collect. Among other things, it also argues that the modeling enterprise enforces habits of mind essential to freedom. It is based on the author's 2008 Bastille Day keynote address to the Second World Congress on Social Simulation, George Mason University, and earlier addresses at the Institute of Medicine, the University of Michigan, and the Santa Fe Institute.
AB - This lecture treats some enduring misconceptions about modeling. One of these is that the goal is always prediction. The lecture distinguishes between explanation and prediction as modeling goals, and offers sixteen reasons other than prediction to build a model. It also challenges the common assumption that scientific theories arise from and 'summarize' data, when often, theories precede and guide data collection; without theory, in other words, it is not clear what data to collect. Among other things, it also argues that the modeling enterprise enforces habits of mind essential to freedom. It is based on the author's 2008 Bastille Day keynote address to the Second World Congress on Social Simulation, George Mason University, and earlier addresses at the Institute of Medicine, the University of Michigan, and the Santa Fe Institute.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=55849127022&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=55849127022&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:55849127022
VL - 11
JO - Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation
JF - Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation
SN - 1460-7425
IS - 4
ER -