Generative Social Science: Studies in Agent-Based Computational Modeling (Princeton Studies in Complexity)

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 352 pages
• Published by: Princeton University Press; Har/Cdr edition January 8, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0691125473
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0691125473
• Book Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 2.2 pounds

Philip Ball, Nature
"Explores phenomena as diverse as civil violence, retirement, the emergence of classes, and the spread of epidemics."

Product Review
Daniel Diermeier Science : It should be noted that having all these contributions in one place is not only useful but pleasingEpstein's book is a concise and well articulated defense of agent-based modeling. Generative Social Science is essential reading for anyone seriously interested in the foundations and the practice of agent-based modeling.


Reader Reviews
Josh Epstein's new Opus is a landmark publication in the emerging field of multiagent-based simulation of dynamic social systems. Since Josh is not only one of this still nascent (though burgeoning) field's ablest and most creative practitioners, but also among its most thoughtful critics, the reader of has two treats in store: (1) a generous, and wide-ranging, sampling of case studies (including social networks and evolution, population growth, emergence of economic classes, civil unrest, timing of retirement, the dynamics of adaptive organizations and the spread of infectious disease), and (2) a cogent "meta" discussion of what multiagent models ARE, ARE NOT and how (when their properties and limitations are *not* properly taken account of) they can easily be MISAPPLIED. Far from suggesting that multiagent-based models are a panacea solution to all (or most) social dynamical systems, Josh's book carefully articulates the conditions for which such an approach IS (and is NOT) appropriate; an approach rarely taken by other, similar, overviews of the field. Indeed, the cogent philosophical discussion in Chapter One - alone! - in which the generativist's position is defined and put into a broader modeling/simulation context, is worth the price of admission; I have not seen a better "manifesto" of multiagent-based modeling elsewhere. Finally, without taking away any of the inherent "beauty" (in the technical sense) of the often exaggerated concept of "emergence," Josh succeeds admirably in both defining the term, and de-mystifying it, stripping it of some of its unnecessary "quasi-mystical" baggage (at least as it is often portrayed in lay publications). Anyone who is interested in understanding how agent models may be used to help explore the dynamics of social dynamical systems, should have this book firmly on top of their "must read" list! Josh has generously provided future generations of agent explorers their go-to source of both inspiration and ideas. Well done Josh! Comment | | (Report this)