Computer Simulation in the Physical Sciences

PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990:507-518 (1990)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Computer simulation is shown to be philosophically interesting because it introduces a qualitatively new methodology for theory construction in science different from the conventional two components of "theory" and "experiment and/or observation". This component is "experimentation with theoretical models." Two examples from the physical sciences are presented for the purpose of demonstration but it is claimed that the biological and social sciences permit similar theoretical model experiments. Furthermore, computer simulation permits theoretical models for the evolution of physical systems which use cellular automata rather than differential equations as their syntax. The great advantages of the former are indicated

Other Versions

reprint Rohrlich, Fritz (1990) "Computer Simulation in the Physical Sciences". PSA Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990(2):507-518

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 98,293

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Analytics

Added to PP
2011-05-29

Downloads
62 (#279,612)

6 months
2 (#1,689,710)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?