Titelangaben
Hauhs, Michael ; Trancón y Widemann, Baltasar:
A critique of agent-based simulation in ecology.
2012
Veranstaltung: ECMS 2012 : 26th EUROPEAN Conference on Modelling and Simulation
, May 29th - June 1st, 2012
, Koblenz.
(Veranstaltungsbeitrag: Kongress/Konferenz/Symposium/Tagung
,
Paper
)
Abstract
Models link empirical observations with formal reasoning.If the computer plays an essential role in their functioning,it seems only fair to consider theoretical computerscience as well as the discipline of application. Wereview some perennial philosophical problems about thenature of state and behaviour in models from that perspective.A mathematical framework for their explicationand the unbiased choice of solutions is proposed.Agent-based models play an increasing role in ecologicalmodelling. They are taken here as an example fordemonstrating critical assumptions and dilemmas in integratingcriteria of methodological rigour with practicalrelevance of models. Some possible solutions and theirpractical implications are outlined based on this new theoreticalperspective.