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The Philosophy and Epistemology of Simulation: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Till Grüne-Yanoff

    (University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, till.grune@helsinki.fi)

  • Paul Weirich

    (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA, weirichp@missouri.edu)

Abstract

The philosophical literature on simulations has increased dramatically during the past 40 years. Many of its main topics are epistemological. For example, philosophers consider how the results of simulations help explain natural phenomena. This essay’s review treats mainly simulations in the social sciences. It considers the nature of simulations, the varieties of simulation, and uses of simulations for representation, prediction, explanation, and policy decisions. Being oriented toward philosophy of science, it compares simulations to models and experiments and considers whether simulations raise new methodological issues.The essay concludes that several features of simulations set them apart from models and experiments and make them novel scientific tools, whose powers and limits are not yet well understood.

Suggested Citation

  • Till Grüne-Yanoff & Paul Weirich, 2010. "The Philosophy and Epistemology of Simulation: A Review," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 41(1), pages 20-50, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:simgam:v:41:y:2010:i:1:p:20-50
    DOI: 10.1177/1046878109353470
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Günter Küppers & Johannes Lenhard, 2005. "Validation of Simulation: Patterns in the Social and Natural Sciences," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 8(4), pages 1-3.
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    6. George Szpiro, 2003. "Does the proof stack up?," Nature, Nature, vol. 424(6944), pages 12-13, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David Crookall, 2011. "Philosophy and Simulation," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 42(2), pages 146-150, April.
    2. Gabriele Gramelsberger, 2011. "Generation of Evidence in Simulation Runs: Interlinking With Models for Predicting Weather and Climate Change," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 42(2), pages 212-224, April.
    3. Veli-Matti Karhulahti, 2015. "Do Videogames Simulate? Virtuality and Imitation in the Philosophy of Simulation," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 46(6), pages 838-856, December.
    4. Suzanne de Castell & Jennifer Jenson & Kurt Thumlert, 2014. "From Simulation to Imitation," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 45(3), pages 332-355, June.
    5. David Crookall, 2010. "Serious Games, Debriefing, and Simulation/Gaming as a Discipline," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 41(6), pages 898-920, December.

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