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Simulations numériques et expériences de pensée
Whereas thought experiments have long been a common practice in science and an important topic of philosophical analysis, the recent development of computer simulation has not been paid much philosophical attention yet in relation to thought experiments. Conceptual investigation has focused on the links between thought experiments and experiments on the one hand and computer simulation and experiments on the other. However, striking similarities between thought experiment and computer simulation can be found. They are both used when experiments cannot be made. More generally, both are instrumental in answering questions of the type: "What would happen if X or Y was the case?" and in exploring the explanatory potential of theories.
The workshop aims to further investigate the relationships between thought experiments and computer simulation. A major question to be addressed will be whether computer simulations can be viewed as implemented thought experiments, at least in certain cases. The workshop is open both to case studies and to general considerations comparing computer simulations and thought experiments in all disciplines. While physics is undoubtedly an ideal playground for these investigations, talks devoted to fields in which theories play a weaker or different role, like economics, biology or artificial life, are especially welcomed.
Programme
Colloque International : Simulations numériques et expériences de pensée
Organisé par Rawad El Skaf, IHPST
Comité Scientifique : Anouk Barberousse, IHPST, Rawad El Skaf, IHPST, Paul Humphreys, Université de Virginie et John Norton, Université de Pittsburgh
Du Jeudi 11 mars 2010 au Samedi 13 mars 2010
Jeudi 11 mars 2010
IHPST, 13 rue du Four, 75006, Paris, Grande salle
Présidente de séance : Marion Vorms
09h00-10h30 : Paul Humphreys, University of Virginia
Computer Simulations and Materiality
10h30-11h00 : PAUSE
Président de séance : Philippe Huneman
11h00-11h45 : Claus Beisbart, University of TU Dortmund
Computer simulations are thought experiments are arguments?
11h45-12h30 : Margherita Arcangeli, Institut Nicod, Paris
The Experimental Triangle: a Plea for a Ménage à Trois
12h30-14h30 : LUNCH
Président de séance : Alexandre Guay
14h30-16h00 : Seth Bullock, University of Southampton
Ten years of opaque thought experiments
16h00-16h30 : PAUSE
Présidente de seéance : Elodie Baget
16h30-17h15 : Yiftach Fehige, University of Toronto
Thought experiments, Computer Simulations and Blended Simulations
17h15-18h00 : Viola Schiaffonati and Davide Mazza, Politecnico di Milano
Exploring the world: Why computer simulations are not just implemented thought experiments
Vendredi 12 mars
Matin : Salle Weil, rez-de-chaussée gauche, Ecole normale supérieure, 45 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris
Président de séance : Cyrille Imbert
09h00-10h30 : Michael Weisberg, University of Pennsylvania
Getting Serious About Similarity
10h30-11h00 : PAUSE
Présidente de séance : Anouk Barberousse
11h00-11h45 : Matthias Dörries, University of Strasbourg
From Thought Experiments to Simulations: Cold War Science and Climatic Change
11h45-12h30 : Corinna Elsenbroich, University of Surrey
Thought-Experiments and Agent-Based-Simulation
12h30-14h30 : LUNCH
Après-midi : Salle 235A, 2ème étage, Ecole normale supérieure, 29 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris
Présidente de séance : Isabelle Drouet
14h30-15h15 : Darrell Rowbottom, University of Oxford
Thought Experiments and Computer Simulations: Different Ends, Same Means!
15h15-16h00 : Eran Tal, University of Toronto
Affording Ignorance: The Epistemic Economy of Simulations and Thought Experiments
16h00-16h30 : PAUSE
Président de séance : Thomas Boyer
16h30-17h15 : Johannes Lenhard, University of Bielefeld
When Experiments Start. Simulation experiments within simulation experiments
Samedi 13 mars
IHPST, 13 rue du Four, 75006, Paris, Grande salle
Président de séance : Rawad El Skaf
09h00-10h30 : Erik Olsson, Lund University
A simulation approach to social epistemology
10h30-11h00 : PAUSE
Président de séance : Carlo Proietti
11h00-11h45 : Deena Skolnick Weisberg, Rutgers University
The Psychology of the Scientific Imagination
11h45-12h30 : Henrik Kragh Sørensen, University of Aarhus
Are proofs mathematical experiments? Are mathematical experiments proofs?
12h30-13h15 : Ryan Muldoon, Joseph L. Rotman Institute of Science and Values
Replacing Thought Experiments with Computer Simulation in Political Philosophy