Keywords
Environmental Sciences, modeling, epistemology
Start Date
25-6-2018 2:00 PM
End Date
25-6-2018 3:20 PM
Abstract
Designing the models and their use in computer simulation in the environmental sciences inherently involves many epistemological questions. Although practical considerations often overruled the problems of epistemology sometimes it is necessary to make basic epistemological choices, especially in modeling. In sciences and accordingly in environmental ones for many reasons modelers ignore non-linearity of phenomena and processes. If we decide to linearize “the object of modeling” then we use linear equations where the variables and their derivatives must always appear as a simple first power. The theory for solving linear equations is rather well developed one because linear equations are simple enough to be solvable. The shortcoming of this approach is that it neglects that many aspects and phenomena, even important ones, which remain hidden. However, if we decide to follow as much as possible the existing nonlinearities in the object that we model we have to consider the following key points: (1) Model choice; (2) continuous-time versus discrete-time in building the model and (3) predictability (Lyapunov time). Our considerations will be supported by some examples in the modeling of environmental sciences processes.
Models and modeling in the environmental sciences: Between epistemology and practice
Designing the models and their use in computer simulation in the environmental sciences inherently involves many epistemological questions. Although practical considerations often overruled the problems of epistemology sometimes it is necessary to make basic epistemological choices, especially in modeling. In sciences and accordingly in environmental ones for many reasons modelers ignore non-linearity of phenomena and processes. If we decide to linearize “the object of modeling” then we use linear equations where the variables and their derivatives must always appear as a simple first power. The theory for solving linear equations is rather well developed one because linear equations are simple enough to be solvable. The shortcoming of this approach is that it neglects that many aspects and phenomena, even important ones, which remain hidden. However, if we decide to follow as much as possible the existing nonlinearities in the object that we model we have to consider the following key points: (1) Model choice; (2) continuous-time versus discrete-time in building the model and (3) predictability (Lyapunov time). Our considerations will be supported by some examples in the modeling of environmental sciences processes.
Stream and Session
D1: Environmental Fluid Mechanics – Theoretical, Modelling, and Experimental Approaches