Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations
Autor(a) principal: | |
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Data de Publicação: | 2019 |
Tipo de documento: | Artigo |
Idioma: | eng |
Título da fonte: | Manuscrito (Online) |
Texto Completo: | https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/article/view/8657080 |
Resumo: | Computer models and simulations have provided enormous benefits to researchers in the natural and social sciences, as well as many areas of philosophy. However, to date, there has been little attempt to use computer models in the development and evaluation of metaphysical theories. This is a shame, as there are good reasons for believing that metaphysics could benefit just as much from this practice as other disciplines. In this paper I assess the possibilities and limitations of using computer models in metaphysics. I outline the way in which different kinds of model could be useful for different areas of metaphysics, and I illustrate in more detail how agent-based models specifically could be used to model two well-known theories of laws: David Lewis’s "Best System Account" and David Armstrong's "Nomic Necessitation" view. Some logically possible processes cannot be simulated on a standard computing device. I finish by assessing how much of a threat this is to the prospect of metaphysical modeling in general. |
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Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitationsComputer modelingComputer simulationMethods in metaphysicsHumean supervenienceNomic necessity.Computer models and simulations have provided enormous benefits to researchers in the natural and social sciences, as well as many areas of philosophy. However, to date, there has been little attempt to use computer models in the development and evaluation of metaphysical theories. This is a shame, as there are good reasons for believing that metaphysics could benefit just as much from this practice as other disciplines. In this paper I assess the possibilities and limitations of using computer models in metaphysics. I outline the way in which different kinds of model could be useful for different areas of metaphysics, and I illustrate in more detail how agent-based models specifically could be used to model two well-known theories of laws: David Lewis’s "Best System Account" and David Armstrong's "Nomic Necessitation" view. Some logically possible processes cannot be simulated on a standard computing device. I finish by assessing how much of a threat this is to the prospect of metaphysical modeling in general.Universidade Estadual de Campinas2019-10-11info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/otherapplication/pdfhttps://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/article/view/8657080Manuscrito: Revista Internacional de Filosofia; v. 42 n. 3 (2019): jul./set.; 108-148Manuscrito: International Journal of Philosophy; Vol. 42 No. 3 (2019): jul./set.; 108-148Manuscrito: Revista Internacional de Filosofía; Vol. 42 Núm. 3 (2019): jul./set.; 108-1482317-630Xreponame:Manuscrito (Online)instname:Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)instacron:UNICAMPenghttps://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/article/view/8657080/21431Brazil; ContemporaryCopyright (c) 2019 Manuscritoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessWheeler, Billy2019-10-11T12:56:49Zoai:ojs.periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br:article/8657080Revistahttps://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscritoPUBhttps://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/oaimwrigley@cle.unicamp.br|| dascal@spinoza.tau.ac.il||publicacoes@cle.unicamp.br2317-630X0100-6045opendoar:2019-10-11T12:56:49Manuscrito (Online) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)false |
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
title |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
spellingShingle |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations Wheeler, Billy Computer modeling Computer simulation Methods in metaphysics Humean supervenience Nomic necessity. |
title_short |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
title_full |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
title_fullStr |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
title_full_unstemmed |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
title_sort |
Computer simulations in metaphysics: possibilities and limitations |
author |
Wheeler, Billy |
author_facet |
Wheeler, Billy |
author_role |
author |
dc.contributor.author.fl_str_mv |
Wheeler, Billy |
dc.subject.por.fl_str_mv |
Computer modeling Computer simulation Methods in metaphysics Humean supervenience Nomic necessity. |
topic |
Computer modeling Computer simulation Methods in metaphysics Humean supervenience Nomic necessity. |
description |
Computer models and simulations have provided enormous benefits to researchers in the natural and social sciences, as well as many areas of philosophy. However, to date, there has been little attempt to use computer models in the development and evaluation of metaphysical theories. This is a shame, as there are good reasons for believing that metaphysics could benefit just as much from this practice as other disciplines. In this paper I assess the possibilities and limitations of using computer models in metaphysics. I outline the way in which different kinds of model could be useful for different areas of metaphysics, and I illustrate in more detail how agent-based models specifically could be used to model two well-known theories of laws: David Lewis’s "Best System Account" and David Armstrong's "Nomic Necessitation" view. Some logically possible processes cannot be simulated on a standard computing device. I finish by assessing how much of a threat this is to the prospect of metaphysical modeling in general. |
publishDate |
2019 |
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv |
2019-10-11 |
dc.type.driver.fl_str_mv |
info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion info:eu-repo/semantics/other |
format |
article |
status_str |
publishedVersion |
dc.identifier.uri.fl_str_mv |
https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/article/view/8657080 |
url |
https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/article/view/8657080 |
dc.language.iso.fl_str_mv |
eng |
language |
eng |
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv |
https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/manuscrito/article/view/8657080/21431 |
dc.rights.driver.fl_str_mv |
Copyright (c) 2019 Manuscrito info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
rights_invalid_str_mv |
Copyright (c) 2019 Manuscrito |
eu_rights_str_mv |
openAccess |
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv |
application/pdf |
dc.coverage.none.fl_str_mv |
Brazil; Contemporary |
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv |
Universidade Estadual de Campinas |
publisher.none.fl_str_mv |
Universidade Estadual de Campinas |
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv |
Manuscrito: Revista Internacional de Filosofia; v. 42 n. 3 (2019): jul./set.; 108-148 Manuscrito: International Journal of Philosophy; Vol. 42 No. 3 (2019): jul./set.; 108-148 Manuscrito: Revista Internacional de Filosofía; Vol. 42 Núm. 3 (2019): jul./set.; 108-148 2317-630X reponame:Manuscrito (Online) instname:Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) instacron:UNICAMP |
instname_str |
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) |
instacron_str |
UNICAMP |
institution |
UNICAMP |
reponame_str |
Manuscrito (Online) |
collection |
Manuscrito (Online) |
repository.name.fl_str_mv |
Manuscrito (Online) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) |
repository.mail.fl_str_mv |
mwrigley@cle.unicamp.br|| dascal@spinoza.tau.ac.il||publicacoes@cle.unicamp.br |
_version_ |
1800216567085006848 |