In Physics, energy, mass, force and momentum are abstract
terms, too, but they have a concrete mathematical meaning.
We model physical processes as interactions among
variables. Unless we don't use mathematical equations
like F=ma, the terms remain unreal, abstract and vague.
In Sociology and Psychology it is much harder to
describe the systems with mathematical equations.
Instead of using equations, it is more useful to explain
the systems by ABM, as Macy and Willer describe
in their article "FROM FACTORS TO ACTORS:
Computational Sociology and Agent-Based Modeling".
It would be interesting to try a shift from factors to actors
in Psychology as well.
-J.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Miles Parker" <[email protected]>
To: "The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 10:17 PM
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] ABMs and Psychology (was Re:FW:Re:Re:WTF: Faith
andScience (was comm.))
Here's an interesting question, or perhaps it simply draws us back to the
same general problem. Can we say that social or psychological phenomenon
are any more or less "real" than say that of physical systems?
============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
