Validation of Computer Simulations from a Kuhnian Perspective

von Eckhart Arnold

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Kuhn's philosophy of science

3 A revolution, but not a Kuhnian revolution: Computer simulations in science

4 Validation of Simulations from a Kuhnian perspective

4.1 Do computer simulations require a new paradigm of validation?

4.2 Validation of simulations and the Duhem-Quine-thesis

4.3 Validation of social simulations

4.3.1 Where social simulations differ

4.3.2 Are social simulations still in a pre-scientific stage?

5 Summary and Conclusions

Bibliography

4.3 Validation of social simulations

Most of the discussion so far and all of the examples were centered around science and engineering. Therefore, in the following I am going to briefly discuss questions concerning the validation of simulations that are more specific for the social sciences.