Explaining Altruism: A Simulation-Based Approach and Its Limits - Hardcover

Arnold Ph.D. MA, Eckhart

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3868380078 ISBN 13: 9783868380071

Publisher: ontos verlag, 2008

Synopsis

Employing computer simulations to study the evolution of altruismhas been popular since Axelrods The Evolution of Cooperation.But have the myriads of simulation studies that followedin Axelrods footsteps really increased our knowledge about theevolution of altruism or cooperation? This book examines in detailthe working mechanisms of simulation-based evolutionaryexplanations of altruism. It shows that the theoretical insightsderived from simulation studies are often quite arbitrary andof little use for empirical research. In the final chapter, a setof epistemological requirements for computer simulations isproposed with recommendations for the proper research designof simulation studies.

About this title

Synopsis

Employing computer simulations for the study of the evolution of altruism has been popular since Axelrod's book "The Evolution of Co-operation". But have the myriads of simulation studies that followed in Axelrod's footsteps really increased our knowledge about the evolution of altruism or co-operation? This book examines in detail the working mechanisms of simulation based evolutionary explanations of altruism. It shows that the 'theoretical insights' that can be derived from simulation studies are often quite arbitrary and of little use for the empirical research. In the final chapter of the book, therefore, a set of epistemological requirements for computer simulations is proposed and recommendations for the proper research design of simulation studies are made.

Edition details

• Publisher: ontos verlag
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3868380078
• ISBN 13: 9783868380071
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 310