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Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation 13, 1 (2010) http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/13/1/5.html

Agent-Based Models and Simulations in Economics and Social Sciences

Denis Phan 1, Franck Varenne 1

For the Projet financé par l'ANR - équipe COSMAGEMS collaboration(s)

(2010-01-21)

Now that complex Agent-Based Models and computer simulations spread over economics and social sciences - as in most sciences of complex systems -, epistemological puzzles (re)emerge. We introduce new epistemological concepts so as to show to what extent authors are right when they focus on some empirical, instrumental or conceptual significance of their model or simulation. By distinguishing between models and simulations, between types of models, between types of computer simulations and between types of empiricity obtained through a simulation, section 2 gives the possibility to understand more precisely - and then to justify - the diversity of the epistemological positions presented in section 1. Our final claim is that careful attention to the multiplicity of the denotational powers of symbols at stake in complex models and computer simulations is necessary to determine, in each case, their proper epistemic status and credibility.

1:	Groupe d'étude des méthodes de l'analyse sociologique (GEMAS)
	CNRS : UMR8598 – Université Paris IV - Paris Sorbonne

Subject

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Humanities and Social Sciences/Economy and finances Humanities and Social Sciences/Sociology Humanities and Social Sciences/History, Philosophy and Sociology of Sciences

Keyword(s): Agent-Based Models and Simulations – Epistemology – Economics – Social Sciences – Conceptual Exploration – Model World – Credible World – Experiment – Denotational Hierarchy

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From: Franck Varenne <>

Submitted on: Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:18:35

Updated on: Wednesday, 12 January 2011 12:08:56