Modelling for the Social Sciences

Abstract

In Part I, our analysis of modelling focused primarily on the field of artificial life and population biology. In Part II, we will begin to investigate the application of agent-based modelling to the social sciences. This chapter will describe the current status of agent-based social science research, outlining some of the most influential work in this developing field. We will then investigate the methodological difficulties faced by modellers in this area, as well as the philosophical implications of an agent-based approach to the study of human social systems.