Where is the difference between steps, "depth" and time, if "the depth of a system" is simply defined in terms of the number of parallel computational steps needed to simulate it ? Depth seems to be just another word for (virtual) time.
Much more interesting is the question if there is a unified theory for complex systems in terms of agents and multi-agent systems. In psychology and sociology we have a patchwork of theories, which arises from the complexity of the research object. A complex system is often described by several theories and multiple models, depending on the particular perspective. We have the psychology of Sigmund Freud, of C.G. Jung, of Skinner, of William James, etc. In sociology we have the sociology of Durkheim, of Weber, of Luhmann, a few smaller theories like role theory and "rational choice theory" and a lot of vague theories like Giddens "theory of structuration". These theories can be correlated to one another if we place them in a grid or coordinate system with two axes: * historical vs. regular behavior (exceptional vs. expected events) * micro vs. macro behavior (low-level vs high-level patterns) The behavior of a complex system depends neither solely on individual events and accidents nor on universal laws. Both sites play an important role, historical accidents (see for example the principles "sensitivity to initial conditions", butterfly effect, frozen accidents, path dependence) and regular laws. Likewise, the behavior of complex systems depends neither solely on individual microscopic actions nor on macroscopic structures, institutions and organizations. Both layers are important (see for example the principles emergence, swarm intelligence, self-organization). The most interesting behavior occurs in the center or at the middle, if microscopic actions have a strong effect on macroscopic behavior and vice versa, or if historical accidents become global patterns. An ideal theory would combine both aspects, historical and regular behavior, micro and macro behavior by defining universal "laws of history" or "theories of emergence". Do you think it is possible to discover or formulate such a unified theory? Or at least a unifying principle, such as evolution in Biology ? Probably evolution is again the unifying principle here.. -J. -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Guerin Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 9:10 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [FRIAM] FW: SFI Seminar: Complexity, Parallel Computation,and Statistical Physics Has anyone seen any papers on logical depth in the context of agent-based modeling? I know we could talk about n agents * t steps * a rough description of agent and environment complexity, but I was wondering if anyone's done some more formal work... -Steve ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
