Modelowanie komputerowe w filozofii – uwagi metodologiczne

Abstract

Computational modeling plays an important role in the methodology of contem- porary science. The epistemological role of modeling and simulations leads to ques- tions about a possible use of this method in philosophy. Attempts to use some math- ematical tools to formulate philosophical concepts trace back to Spinoza and New- ton. Newtonian natural philosophy became an example of successful use of mathe- matical thinking to describe the fundamental level of nature. Newton’s approach has initiated a new scientific field of research in physics and at the same time his system has become a source of new philosophical considerations about physical reality. Ac- cording to Michael Heller, some physical theories may be treated as the formaliza- tions of philosophical conceptions. Computational modeling may be an extension of this idea; this is what I would like to present in the article. I also consider computa- tional modeling in philosophy as a source of new philosophical metaphors; this idea has been proposed in David J. Bolter’s conception of defining technology. The con- sideration leads to the following conclusion: In the methodology of philosophy sig- nificant changes have been taking place; the new approach do not make traditional methods obsolete, it is rather a new analytical tools for philosophy and a source of inspiring metaphors.

Keywords

• computational modeling
• methodology of philosophy
• defining technology