Paper Info
Title
Agents, equations and all that: on the role of agents in understanding complex systems
Abstract
Differential equations and agent-based models are different formalisms which can be applied to describe the evolution of complex systems. In this paper, it is shown how differential equations can describe interactions among agents: it is pointed out that their capabilities are broader than is often assumed, and it is argued that such an approach should be preferred whenever applicable. Also discussed are the circumstances in which it is necessary to resort to agent-based models, and a rigorous approach is advocated in these cases. In particular, the relationship between the model and a theory of the processes under consideration provides both stimuli and constraints for the model. This relationship is discussed both in general terms and with reference to a specific example, which concerns a model of innovation processes.
Year
DOI
Venue
2006
10.1007/11829263_9
Reasoning, Action and Interaction in AI Theories and Systems
Keywords
Field
DocType
agent-based model,differential equation,rigorous approach,complex system,general term,different formalisms,specific example,innovation process
Complex system,Differential equation,Cellular automaton,Computer science,Artificial intelligence,Software maintenance,Innovation process,Rotation formalisms in three dimensions
Conference
Volume
ISSN
ISBN
4155
0302-9743
3-540-37901-0
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
2
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Roberto Serra120329.48
Marco Villani218835.04