Work

Explanation in Agent-Based Modelling: Functions, Causality or Mechanisms?

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: What kind of knowledge can we obtain from agent-based models? The claim that they help us to study the social world needs unpacking. I will defend agent-based modelling against a recent criticism that undermines its potential as a method to investigate underlying mechanisms and provide explanations of social phenomena. I show that the criticism is unwarranted and the problem can be resolved with an account of explanation that is associated with the social sciences anyway, the mechanism account of explanation developed in Machamer et al. (2000). I finish off discussing the mechanism account with relation to prediction in agent-based modelling.

Source: Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation

DOI: 10.18564/jasss.1958

Author: Corinna Elsenbroich

Institution: University of Surrey

Language: English

Topic: Philosophy and History of Science

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,300

Funder: Economic and Social Research Council