Andreas Kaminski - Böcker

Much work in the philosophy of science can be seen as coping with the problem of establishing trust in a certain theory, a certain model, or even science as a whole.

Trust is a central pillar of the scientific enterprise. Much work in the philosophy of science can be seen as coping with the problem of establishing trust in a certain theory, a certain model, or even science as a whole. However, trust in science is threatened by various developments. With the advent of more complex models and the increasing usage of computer methods such as machine learning and computer simulation, it seems increasingly challenging to establish trust in science. How and on what basis can an appropriate trust in science be built? We are interested in how trust is established in such cases of increasing complexity (of models and communication) and what could be appropriate measures to alleviate doubt.

This volume explores the complex landscape of disinformation and its broader implications on trust within society. It tackles questions such as: What constitutes disinformation or fake news? What are the ramifications of its detrimental effects? Are we navigating through a post-truth era? Which emerging technologies could potentially mitigate or exacerbate the adverse effects of disinformation? What kind of audience trust does disinformation tap into? What kind of effect can it have on trust relationships? How can we effectively address the challenges posed by disinformation?Contributors to this volume investigate these inquiries from diverse, primarily philosophical perspectives, while also incorporating insights from a range of interdisciplinary approaches. Readers will be introduced to a vital and ongoing debate aimed at dissecting the phenomenon of fake news, its consequences, and viable strategies for countering its spread. It invites readers to critically engage with the subject matter, encouraging a deeper comprehension of both the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.

The new book series “The Science and Art of Simulation” (SAS) addresses computer simulations as a scientific activity and engineering artistry (in the sense of a technē). The first volume is devoted to three topics: 1. The Art of Exploring Computer SimulationsPhilosophy began devoting attention to computer simulations at a relatively early stage. Since then, the unquestioned point of view has been that computer simulation is a new scientific method; the philosophy of simulation is therefore part of the philosophy of science. The first section of this volume discusses this implicit, unchallenged assumption by addressing, from different perspectives, the question of how to explore (and how not to explore) research on computer simulations. Scientists discuss what is still lacking or considered problematic, while philosophers draft new directions for research,and both examine the art of exploring computer simulations. 2. The Art of Understanding Computer SimulationsThe results of computer simulations are integrated into both political and social decisions. It is implicitly assumed that the more detailed, and consequently more realistic, a computer simulation is, the more useful it will be in decision-making. However, this idea is by no means justified. Different types of computer simulations have to be differentiated, which in turn requires the specific skill of understanding computer simulation results. The articles in this section examine the capabilities and limits of simulation results in political and social contexts, exploring the art of understanding computer simulation results.  3. The Art of Knowing through Computer Simulations?The advent of computer simulation in today’s scientific practices challenges the order of science. What kind of knowledge is gained through computer simulations is the key question in this section. Computer simulations are often compared to experiments or to arguments, and the transformation of our traditional scientific notions might be more challenging than expected – these Ideas are put forward in the third section to conceptualize the art of knowing through computer simulations.

The new book series “The Science and Art of Simulation” (SAS) addresses computer simulations as a scientific activity and engineering artistry (in the sense of a techne).

Simulationen geben zunehmend Orientierung für die Entscheidungsfindung in Politik, Ökonomie, Ökologie oder Medizin. Hierzu sind zunächst Modelle zu bilden, wobei die Modellierungsentscheidungen einen großen Effekt auf die Simulationsergebnisse haben. Dieses Zusammenhangs nimmt sich der vorliegende Band an und durchleuchtet Computersimulationen im Kontext von Entscheidungen aus Sicht der Soziologie, Simulationswissenschaft und Philosophie. Dabei stehen drei Fragen im Mittelpunkt: Wie werden Entscheidungen modelliert oder simuliert? Welche metatheoretischen und methodischen Entscheidungen müssen simulierende WissenschaftlerInnen im Zuge der Simulationsstudie treffen? Wie werden organisationale oder politische Entscheidungen durch Modellierungen und Simulationen unterstützt? Die Herausgeber*innenProf. Dr. Nicole J. Saam ist Inhaberin des Lehrstuhls für Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung am Institut für Soziologie der Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Prof. Michael Resch ist Direktor am HPC Center Stuttgart (HLRS) der Universität Stuttgart. Dr. Andreas Kaminski ist als Leiter der Abteilung “Philosophie der Simulation“ am HPC Center Stuttgart (HLRS) der Universität Stuttgart tätig.