Resch / Kaminski / Gehring The Science and Art of Simulation I

Exploring - Understanding - Knowing
1. Auflage 2017
ISBN: 978-3-319-55762-5
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 190 Seiten, eBook

The new book series “The Science and Art of Simulation” (SAS) addresses computer simulations as a scientific activity and engineering artistry (in the sense of a techne). The first volume is devoted to three topics:

1. The Art of Exploring Computer Simulations

Philosophy began devoting attention to computer simulations at a relatively early stage. Since then, the unquestioned point of view has been that computer simulation is a new scientific method; the philosophy of simulation is therefore part of the philosophy of science. The first section of this volume discusses this implicit, unchallenged assumption by addressing, from different perspectives, the question of how to explore (and how not to explore) research on computer simulations. Scientists discuss what is still lacking or considered problematic, while philosophers draft new directions for research,and both examine the art of exploring computer simulations.

2. The Art of Understanding Computer Simulations

The results of computer simulations are integrated into both political and social decisions. It is implicitly assumed that the more detailed, and consequently more realistic, a computer simulation is, the more useful it will be in decision-making. However, this idea is by no means justified. Different types of computer simulations have to be differentiated, which in turn requires the specific skill of understanding computer simulation results. The articles in this section examine the capabilities and limits of simulation results in political and social contexts, exploring the art of understanding computer simulation results. 

3. The Art of Knowing through Computer Simulations?

The advent of computer simulation in today’s scientific practices challenges the order of science. What kind of knowledge is gained through computer simulations is the key question in this section. Computer simulations are often compared to experiments or to arguments, and the transformation of our traditional scientific notions might be more challenging than expected – these Ideas are put forward in the third section to conceptualize the art of knowing through computer simulations.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Resch, Michael M.

Kaminski, Andreas

Gehring, Petra

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Contents;5
2;Introduction;7
2.1;1 How to Explore Computer Simulations?;10
2.2;2 How to Understand the Results of Computer Simulations?;10
2.3;3 How to Gain Knowledge Through Computer Simulations?;10
2.4;References;10
3;Part I: The Art of Exploring Computer Simulations;12
3.1;Doing Research on Simulation Sciences? Questioning Methodologies and Disciplinarities;13
3.1.1;1 Unity Does Not Follow from Novelty: On Simulation as an Object of Research;14
3.1.2;2 Who Researches How Simulation Research Does Research? Interrelating and Extending the Observer Perspective;17
3.1.2.1;2.1;18
3.1.2.2;2.2;19
3.1.2.3;2.3;20
3.1.2.4;2.4;21
3.1.3;3 Interdisciplinary Evaluative Research: Taking Simulation Sciences Seriously;21
3.1.3.1;3.1;22
3.1.3.2;3.2;22
3.1.3.3;3.3;23
3.1.3.4;3.4;23
3.1.3.5;3.5;23
3.1.4;4 In Lieu of a Conclusion;24
3.1.5;References;24
3.2;On the Missing Coherent Theory of Simulation;26
3.2.1;1 Introduction;26
3.2.2;2 The Technical-Scientific Conception of Simulation;27
3.2.3;3 Core Sciences of Simulation;29
3.2.3.1;3.1 Mathematics;29
3.2.3.2;3.2 Computer Science;30
3.2.4;4 Applied Sciences of Simulation;31
3.2.5;5 Science Theory of Simulation;32
3.2.6;6 Socio-Scientific Theory of Simulation;33
3.2.6.1;6.1 Meaning of Simulation for Political Action Processes;33
3.2.6.2;6.2 Meaning of the Perception of Simulation in Society;33
3.2.7;7 Questions;34
3.2.8;References;35
3.3;The Art of Staging Simulations: Mise-en-scène, Social Impact, and Simulation Literacy;36
3.3.1;1 Introduction;36
3.3.2;2 Poietic Simulation;37
3.3.2.1;2.1 Mimesis One, Two, Three;38
3.3.2.2;2.2 Composing Simulations;40
3.3.2.2.1;2.2.1 Simulation and Prefiguration;41
3.3.2.2.2;2.2.2 Simulation Configuration;41
3.3.2.2.3;2.2.3 Refiguring Simulations;42
3.3.3;3 Mise-en-scène and Presentation Impact;43
3.3.4;4 Staging of Simulations and Simulation Literacy;46
3.3.4.1;4.1 Refiguration Signals;47
3.3.4.2;4.2 Irony or Lie? Simulation or Deceit?;48
3.3.5;5 Conclusion;51
3.3.6;References;52
3.4;Myths of Simulation;54
3.4.1;1 Introduction;54
3.4.2;2 What Is Simulation?;56
3.4.3;3 Myths of Simulation;57
3.4.3.1;3.1 Myth 1: Computer Simulation Is a Virtual Experiment;57
3.4.3.2;3.2 Myth 2: Computer Simulation Is Exact;59
3.4.3.3;3.3 Myth 3: Computers Can Simulate Anything;61
3.4.4;4 Conclusions;63
3.4.5;References;64
4;Part II: The Art of Understanding Computer Simulations;67
4.1;Understanding Social Science Simulations: Distinguishing Two Categories of Simulations;68
4.1.1;1 Introduction;68
4.1.2;2 Two Types of Social Science Simulations;70
4.1.2.1;2.1 Simulations STE;71
4.1.2.2;2.2 Simulations SE;71
4.1.2.3;2.3 Two Model Cases;72
4.1.3;3 Understanding the Results of Simulations;74
4.1.3.1;3.1 What-If-Things-Had-Been-Different Questions as a Basis of Inferential Performance Constitutive of Understanding;75
4.1.3.2;3.2 Understanding the Results of Simulations STE and Simulations SE;76
4.1.3.3;3.3 Understanding the Results of the Model Cases;77
4.1.4;4 The Challenge of Opacity;78
4.1.4.1;4.1 Opacity Versus Epistemic Transparency;79
4.1.4.2;4.2 Loss of Understanding;80
4.1.4.3;4.3 Relevance for Social Science Simulations;81
4.1.5;5 Conclusions;82
4.1.6;References;83
4.2;Seven Problems with Massive Simulation Models for Policy Decision-Making;86
4.2.1;1 Introduction;86
4.2.2;2 MSM vs. ASM;87
4.2.3;3 The Case of Vaccination Policy Modeling;89
4.2.4;4 Seven Problems with MSMs for Policy Purposes;92
4.2.4.1;4.1 What Is the Target?;92
4.2.4.2;4.2 How to Measure Parameters;94
4.2.4.3;4.3 Number of Parameters;95
4.2.4.4;4.4 Number of Mechanisms;97
4.2.4.5;4.5 Counterfactual Questions;98
4.2.4.6;4.6 Structural Uncertainty;99
4.2.4.7;4.7 Match with Decision Tools;100
4.2.5;5 Conclusions;101
4.2.6;References;101
4.3;Between Knowledge and Action: Conceptualizing Scientific Simulation and Policy-Making;103
4.3.1;1 Introduction;103
4.3.2;2 Scientific Simulations and Policy-Making Compatibilities;104
4.3.3;3 A Systemic Perspective: Simulations Modes of Knowledge and Communication;107
4.3.4;4 An Impact Perspective: Simulation Use by Policy;110
4.3.5;5 An Evaluation Perspective: Quality Assessment of Simulations;113
4.3.6;6 Conclusions;116
4.3.7;References;116
5;Part III: The Art of Knowing Through Computer Simulations;119
5.1;Outlines of a Pragmatic Theory of Truth and Error in Computer Simulation;120
5.1.1;1 Models of and Models for;122
5.1.2;2 The Application of Simulation;123
5.1.3;3 Which Theory of Truth Is Appropriate for Computer Simulation?;124
5.1.4;4 Why a Pragmatic Theory of Truth?;126
5.1.5;5 Features of a Pragmatic Theory of Truth;128
5.1.6;6 Balance of a Pragmatic Theory of Truth in Simulation Research;130
5.1.7;7 An Amendment: The Pragmatic Theory of Error;132
5.1.8;References;134
5.2;The Demon´s Fallacy: Simulation Modeling and a New Style of Reasoning;136
5.2.1;1 Introduction;136
5.2.2;2 The Classic Viewpoint: Rational Mechanics;137
5.2.3;3 Combination Rather than Analysis;139
5.2.4;4 Schema of Simulation Modeling;140
5.2.5;5 The Argument by Way of Two Examples;142
5.2.5.1;5.1 Equations of State in Thermodynamics;142
5.2.5.2;5.2 Quantum Chemistry;145
5.2.6;6 Conclusion;149
5.2.7;References;149
5.3;Advancing Knowledge Through Computer Simulations? A Socratic Exercise;151
5.3.1;1 Introduction;151
5.3.2;2 Knowledge;153
5.3.3;3 Propositional Content;156
5.3.4;4 Justification;162
5.3.5;5 Conclusions;169
5.3.6;References;170
5.4;Varieties of Simulations: From the Analogue to the Digital;173
5.4.1;1 Introduction;173
5.4.2;2 The Analogue-Digital Distinction;175
5.4.3;3 Varieties of Simulations;178
5.4.3.1;3.1 Analogue Simulations as Part of the Laboratory Instrumentaria;180
5.4.3.2;3.2 The Microcosm of Computer Simulations;183
5.4.3.3;3.3 Computer Simulations Meet the Laboratory Instrumentaria;185
5.4.4;4 The Importance of the Analogue-Digital Distinction in the Literature on Computer Simulations;187
5.4.5;References;189