Agent-Based Modelling and Methodological Individualism
Julie Zahle is the second lecturer this spring at The Bergen Network for Women in Philosophy's (BNWP or BNKF in Norwegian) regular seminars.
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Main content
Classic methodological individualism states that social scientists should solely offer individualist explanations, that is, explanations that focus on individuals’ contributions to the bringing about of some event. A number of theorists have drawn a connection between ABC modelling and the endorsement of methodological individualism. In the first part of this paper, I examine and dismiss the claim that (1) ABC modelling necessarily goes hand-in-hand with the advancement of individualist explanations. The rejection of (1) still leaves it open to maintain that (2) ABC modelling should go hand-in-hand with the offering of individualist explanations. In the second part, I consider the most important reasons offered in support of (2) while arguing that they must all be found wanting. Thus, I conclude that ABC modelling is not, and should not, be committed to classic methodological individualism.