Computer simulation models are being used increasingly as decision support tools for policy-making regarding many complex human-related policy issues. This requires a different method of application than that developed for the physical sciences. Starting with a review of current thinking in the philosophy of (physical) science and other literatures dealing with the methodology of economics and with metaphor, the concept of a model is expanded to include the informal assumptions upon which form structures are founded. Two types of interdisciplinarity are identified; the 'broad' which establishes dialogue between the non-formal foundations, and the 'narrow', which does not. These issues are expanded for the case of systems modelling (including system dynamics, complex systems and quasi-formal systems) to take account of the lack of an objective stance when addressing human-related issues. These ideas are applied to the development of the discipline of economics, and the demarcation between a mainstream and 'ecological' alternative is examined. A 'thick' or rhetorical reading suggests that the division is at best useful in only some circumstances, and hides a number of other important divisions within the field. The broad interdisciplinary method is illustrated by three case studies of policy-relevant models. The ECCO model represents national and regional sustainability options in the biophysical context using conventional system dynamics. The CarteSim model represents changes in spatial land-use patterns at the regions and urban level using complex system dynamics. The IPSO model is a hybrid of ECCO and CarteSim, using complex dynamic representations of the interaction between physical capital and technology options. Taken as a whole, the three case studies comprise a broad interdisciplinary inquiry into the debate regarding the effects of natural capital, human capital and technology on economic growth.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:645107 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | Crane, David C. |
| Publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/1842/10871 |
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