Why simpler computer simulation models can Be epistemically better for informing decisions

Links

• Preprint

Abstract

For computer simulation models to usefully inform climate risk management, uncertainties in model projections must be explored and characterized. Because doing so requires running the model many times over, and because computing resources are finite, uncertainty assessment is more feasible using models that demand less computer processor time. Such models are generally simpler in the sense of being more idealized, or less realistic. So modelers face a trade-off between realism and uncertainty quantification. Seeing this trade-off for the important epistemic issue that it is requires a shift in perspective from the established simplicity literature in philosophy of science.

Meme

Courtesy of @dmdu_memes

Citation

@ARTICLE{HelgesonEtAl2021,
  title   = "Why Simpler Computer Simulation Models Can Be Epistemically   
            Better for Informing Decisions",
  author  = "Helgeson, Casey and Srikrishnan, Vivek and Keller, Klaus and
             Tuana, Nancy",
  journal = {Philosophy of Science},
  volume  =  88,
  number  =  2,
  pages   = "213--233",
  year    =  2021,
  doi     = "10.1086/711501",
}