Agent-based modelling on a computer appears to have a special role to
play in the development of social science. It offers a means of
discovering general and applicable social theory, and grounding it in
precise assumptions and derivations, whilst addressing those elements of
individual cognition that are central to human society. However, there
are important questions to be asked and difficulties to overcome in
achieving this potential. What differentiates agent-based modelling from
traditional computer modelling? Which model types should be used under
which circumstances? If it is appropriate to use a complex model, how
can it be validated? Is social simulation research to adopt a realist
epistemology, or can it operate within a social constructionist
framework? What are the sociological concepts of norms and norm
processing that could either be used for planned implementation or for
identifying equivalents of social norms among co-operative agents? Can
sustainability be achieved more easily in a hierarchical agent society
than in a society of isolated agents? What examples are there of hybrid
forms of interaction between humans and artificial agents? These are
some of the sociological questions that are addressed.