Multi Agent Systems and the Micro-Macro Link
R. Keith Sawyer
keith@keithsawyer.com
My talk draws on contemporary sociological theories of
the micro-macro link: the relation between individual action and emergent
social structure. In this paper I explore how MAS can inform this area
of sociological theory, and I show how sociological theory can inform the
design and development of artificial societies. I argue that MAS have
attained a level of maturity where they can be useful tools for sociologists.
In addition to this methodological claim, I show how MAS provide new perspectives
on contemporary discussions of the micro-macro link in sociological theory,
focusing on how macrosocial structures emerge from collective action and
also on how individual actions are constrained by these emergent phenomena.
Although I am enthusiastic about the potential for MAS to inform sociological
theory, I also take a critical approach, noting several areas where MAS could
become more sociologically informed. I use sociological theory to develop
a new set of criticisms of artificial societies. In particular, sociological
theories of the relation between collective action and emergent social structure
have attained a high level of sophistication, in many cases addressing issues
of direct relevance to artificial society designers. I argue that MAS
have not yet attempted to simulate some of the most fundamental elements
of the micro-macro relation, and I suggest several future directions for
a more sociologically informed study of artificial societies.