COMPUTER SIMULATIONS IN METAPHYSICS: POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

Abstract Computer models and simulations have provided enormous benefits to researchers in the natural and social sciences, as well as many areas of philosophy. However, to date, there has been little attempt to use computer models in the development and evaluation of metaphysical theories. This is a shame, as there are good reasons for believing that metaphysics could benefit just as much from this practice as other disciplines. In this paper I assess the possibilities and limitations of using computer models in metaphysics. I outline the way in which different kinds of model could be useful for different areas of metaphysics, and I illustrate in more detail how agent-based models specifically could be used to model two well-known theories of laws: David Lewis’s "Best System Account" and David Armstrong's "Nomic Necessitation" view. Some logically possible processes cannot be simulated on a standard computing device. I finish by assessing how much of a threat this is to the prospect of metaphysical modeling in general.摘要：计算机模型与模拟为自然科学、社会科学以及哲学诸多领域的研究者带来了巨大裨益。然而迄今为止，鲜有研究尝试将计算机模型应用于形而上学理论的构建与评估。这实为憾事，因为我们有充分理由相信，形而上学完全可以像其他学科一样，从这一研究范式中获益匪浅。本文中，笔者将评估在形而上学研究中应用计算机模型的可能性与局限性。笔者将阐明不同类型的模型可如何服务于形而上学的不同分支，并详细阐释基于主体的模型（agent-based models）具体可如何用于模拟两个知名的规律理论：大卫·刘易斯（David Lewis）的「最佳系统解释（Best System Account）」与大卫·阿姆斯特朗（David Armstrong）的「法则必然论（Nomic Necessitation）」。部分逻辑上可行的过程无法在标准计算设备上完成模拟。最后，笔者将评估这一局限对整体形而上学建模研究前景构成的威胁程度。