Agent-Based Modeling's Open Methodology Approach: Simulation, Reflexivity, and Abduction

18 Pages Posted: 6 Sep 2017

See all articles by John B. Davis

John B. Davis

University of Amsterdam; Marquette University

Date Written: September 2, 2017

Abstract

This paper argues that agent-based modeling’s innovations in method developed in terms of simulation techniques also involve an innovation in economic methodology. It shows how Epstein’s generative science conception departs from conventional methodological reasoning, and employs what I term an open rather than closed approach to economic methodology associated with the roles that reflexivity, counterfactual reasoning, and abduction play in ABM. Central to this idea is that improvements in how we know something, a matter of method, determine whether we know something, a matter of methodology. The paper links this alternative view of economics and economic methodology to a social science model of economics and contrasts this with standard economics’ natural science model of economics. The paper discusses what this methodological understanding implies about the concept of emergence.

Keywords: agent-based modeling, simulation, generative science, reflexivity, abduction, social science model of economics, emergence

JEL Classification: A12, B41, C63

Suggested Citation

Davis, John B. and Davis, John B., Agent-Based Modeling's Open Methodology Approach: Simulation, Reflexivity, and Abduction (September 2, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3031223 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3031223

John B. Davis (Contact Author)

Marquette University ( email )

P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881
United States

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Amsterdam
Netherlands

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
121
Abstract Views
924
Rank
417,019
PlumX Metrics