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 1 Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the Forum on Philosophical Methods at Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai as well as the 8 th Asia-Pacific Conference on Philosophy of Science at Fudan University, Shanghai. I thank the participants for their helpful comments. I am also grateful to two anonymous reviewers from Manuscrito who also provided invaluable feedback on an earlier version of this paper.