ICCS06/Hiroki Sayama
From NECSIWiki
Hiroki Sayama
Assistant Professor
Department of Bioengineering
Binghamton University
[edit] Plenary Session Overview: From Modeling to Reality
A "model" is a simplified representation of a system, either conceptual, narrative, or mathematical. Modeling is not something relevant only in scientific contexts; rather, it is a far more profound activity associated with every scenes in our daily life. When we try to look at and understand the external world, we are always creating a model in our mind. Worldviews, religions, cultures, as well as scientific theories, are all examples of models we have developed.
Since modeling is so deeply interwoven with our everyday cognitive processes, it heavily depends on our personal experience and knowledge. Moreover, it comes with a great difficulty to teach and/or learn key concepts of "how to model" (which I believe many instructors have undergone in their classrooms). This difficulty becomes even more manifested when it comes to complex systems modeling, because emergent behaviors of complex systems often contradict our everyday experiences and refuse simple interpretations.
This session will highlight such challenges involved in complex systems modeling, aiming to initiate active discussions on this interesting topic throughout the conference. Some relevant issues to be discussed include:
(1) Are there any systematic principles or methodologies in modeling complex systems?
(2) What would be potentially new modeling frameworks useful for complex systems studies?
(3) How to enhance efficiency of teaching and learning modeling skills?
(4) How to connect models and reality?
Presentation at the 6th International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS), June 25-30, 2006; Boston, MA
ICCS06 Conference Program
Hosted by the New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) ,
