In the first part of the paper, the field of Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) is discussed focusing on the role of generative theories, aiming at explaining phenomena by growing them. After a brief analysis of the major strengths of the field some crucial weaknesses are analysed. In particular, the...

The ultimate goal of the FuturICT Flagship is to understand and manage complex, global, socially interactive systems, with a focus on sustainability and resilience. Revealing the hidden laws and processes underlying societies constitutes the most pressing scientific grand challenge of our...

Why do financial markets crash again and again? How can we construct resilient institutions? What determines human happiness and well-­‐being, and how are they influenced by personal wealth? How can society change behaviours that destroy our environment and other important public goods? Big...

To deal with the grand challenges before us (financial and political crises, growing inequality, social unrest, corruption, organized crime, etc.) we need theories for understanding-while-producing social artifacts (material and immaterial artifacts spontaneously emerging or designed for humans...

In this book experts from quite different fields present simulations of social phenomena: economists, sociologists, political scientists, psychologists, cognitive scientists, organisational scientists, decision scientists, geographers, computer scientists, AI and AL scientists, mathematicians...