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...

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...