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Identity Crisis: Simulations and Models

John Simpson
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John Simpson: University of Alberta, Canada

Simulation & Gaming, 2011, vol. 42, issue 2, 195-211

Abstract: This is an investigation of the relationship between simulations and models, concluding that the model intended to underlie a simulation and the model that actually underlies the simulation can be quite different. It is also argued that simulations and models are complexes of representational relations, making it the case that determining what is a model or what is a simulation is an inherently observer relative task that can never be fully overcome. The end result is that simulations can still be profitably used as scientific tools, but that caution must be used in interpreting their results; and we must be reluctant to make hard and fast judgments regarding what counts as a simulation or model and how any results obtained should be used.

Keywords: computer; computer simulation; digital computer; identity crisis; modeling; models; observer relativity; philosophy of computing; philosophy of science; philosophy of simulation; programming; representational relations; scientific tools; simulation; simulator; underlying model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:simgam:v:42:y:2011:i:2:p:195-211

DOI: 10.1177/1046878109334007

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