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題名 Complexity in the humanities and the humanities in complexity 作者 陳樹衡
Chen, Shu-Heng貢獻者 經濟系 關鍵詞 agent-based modeling; autonomous agents; consilience; generative AI; humanistic complexity 日期 2026-02 上傳時間 2026-06-04 摘要 In this paper, we discuss the relationship between agent-based modeling (ABM) and humanistic complexity, a relationship that is often overlooked in most ABM research as it is commonly practiced. However, when we situate ABM within a broader intellectual context, we find that it is gradually moving toward, or uncovering, its humanistic dimension of complexity. In this article, we draw on the respective “turns” in the philosophy of science and the history of science to articulate this intellectual context, and from this perspective we can discern the driving forces behind the shift from equation-based modeling (EBM) to ABM. Put more poetically, ABM enables scientists to confront what might be called the unbearable lightness of science, a challenge that this paper refers to as the return of weight. From the vantage point of this “return of weight,” we revisit key milestones in ABM and the burdens it currently struggles to bear. We argue that if ABM is to shoulder even greater weight, its next step must inevitably engage with the consilience of science and the humanities as advocated by Edward Wilson. Yet to achieve this, a breakthrough in computational power is required. Today's revolution in computing provides precisely such an opportunity, enabling ABM to carry greater humanistic weight and thereby enhance the realism of simulation. 關聯 Frontiers in Social Psychology, Vol.4, 1746969 資料類型 article DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/frsps.2026.1746969 dc.contributor 經濟系 dc.creator (作者) 陳樹衡 dc.creator (作者) Chen, Shu-Heng dc.date (日期) 2026-02 dc.date.accessioned 2026-06-04 - dc.date.available 2026-06-04 - dc.date.issued (上傳時間) 2026-06-04 - dc.identifier.uri (URI) https://ah.lib.nccu.edu.tw/item?item_id=182724 - dc.description.abstract (摘要) In this paper, we discuss the relationship between agent-based modeling (ABM) and humanistic complexity, a relationship that is often overlooked in most ABM research as it is commonly practiced. However, when we situate ABM within a broader intellectual context, we find that it is gradually moving toward, or uncovering, its humanistic dimension of complexity. In this article, we draw on the respective “turns” in the philosophy of science and the history of science to articulate this intellectual context, and from this perspective we can discern the driving forces behind the shift from equation-based modeling (EBM) to ABM. Put more poetically, ABM enables scientists to confront what might be called the unbearable lightness of science, a challenge that this paper refers to as the return of weight. From the vantage point of this “return of weight,” we revisit key milestones in ABM and the burdens it currently struggles to bear. We argue that if ABM is to shoulder even greater weight, its next step must inevitably engage with the consilience of science and the humanities as advocated by Edward Wilson. Yet to achieve this, a breakthrough in computational power is required. Today's revolution in computing provides precisely such an opportunity, enabling ABM to carry greater humanistic weight and thereby enhance the realism of simulation. dc.format.extent 106 bytes - dc.format.mimetype text/html - dc.relation (關聯) Frontiers in Social Psychology, Vol.4, 1746969 dc.subject (關鍵詞) agent-based modeling; autonomous agents; consilience; generative AI; humanistic complexity dc.title (題名) Complexity in the humanities and the humanities in complexity dc.type (資料類型) article dc.identifier.doi (DOI) 10.3389/frsps.2026.1746969 dc.doi.uri (DOI) https://doi.org/10.3389/frsps.2026.1746969
