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Subject: New CPM Thesis: "Emergent Tendencies in MA Simulati ons..." by Oswaldo Terán
From: francois_bousquet (francois_bousquet@hotmail.com)
Date: ven nov 16 2001 - 11:37:23 CET
> Emergent Tendencies in
> Multi-Agent-based Simulations:
> using Constraint-based Methods to
> Effect Practical Proofs over Finite
> Subsets of Simulation Outcomes
>
> By: Oswaldo Terán
> Date: 16th November 2001
> Also CPM Report No.: 99-86
>
> Published as:
> Terán, O. (2001). Emergent Tendencies in
> Multi-Agent-based Simulations: using Constraint-based
> Methods to Effect Practical Proofs over Finite
> Subsets of Simulation Outcomes. Doctoral Thesis,
> Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
>
> Abstract
>
> This thesis suggests a methodology for studying complex
> systems. This method is intended to be particularly useful
> for searching and proving tendencies (whether considered
> emergent or not) in those systems whose dynamics seem to
> be strongly dependent on the system's components'
> interaction (such as social systems). These systems are
> commonly simulated in Multi-Agent Systems (MAS).
>
> It begins by examining the formal notions of simulation,
> modelling, and theorem-proving. Then it reviews some
> notions of complexity and proposes a notion of the
> emergence of tendencies as based on the trade-off between
> subjective and objective factors of complexity. It next
> moves on to investigate the dynamics of a system via a
> platform consisting in a (logical) model constraint-based
> exploration of the dynamics of a simulation. This platform
> is suggested for systematically exploring the subspace of
> simulation trajectories associated with a range of
> parameters of the model, a range of choices of the
> processes (e.g., agents' choices), and the logic of the
> simulation program. Following this, we suggest using this
> architecture in addition to the higher architectural level
> given by a MAS and an even lower level, a syntactic
> constraint-based architecture, as complementary means to
> investigate aspects of the dynamics of a MAS simulation.
> The proposed methods are compared with other
> approaches for exploring the dynamics of a simulation. In
> particular, differences in terms of the notions of morphism
> among models, the generality of the conclusions, and the
> measures of behaviour that each approach allows are
> emphasised. In addition, enveloping the simulation outputs
> is proposed as an alternative to statistical summaries. This
> seems to be especially convenient for studying complex
> systems and for analysing outputs in case of applying
> theorem-proving techniques.
>
> This model constraint-based architecture is applied to a
> MAS-based model exemplifying a typical interaction
> trader-distributor. A tendency is identified in the
> MAS-based model and then a constrained proof is
> performed in the model constraint-based architecture.
> Afterwards, some implications of this thesis for related
> areas of science are reviewed. Finally, the appendices
> include an analysis of the complexity of this model
> constraint-based exploration of trajectories and two papers
> particularly relevant to the social simulation and the MAS
> communities.
>
> Accessible at:
> http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/cpmrep86.html