Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Ferraris Gianluigi
Author-Email: giangi@di.unipi.it
Author-Name: Fontana Magda
Author-Email: magda.fontana@unito.it
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Turin
Author-Workplace-Homepage: http://www.est.unito.it/
Title: Managing Knowledge in Agent-based Models: Theoretical and Methodological Issues
Abstract: The paper proposes an experimental setup to compare different representations of artificial adaptive 
agents (genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks, and classifier systems) and suggests some criteria to 
assess equivalence and robustness of performance. In economie theory, the use of artificial adaptive agents as 
substitutes for the homo oeconomicus raises important methodological issues. While the reductionist approach 
grounded on Olympic rationality offers full rationality as the unique reference point for problem solving, 
weaker notions of rationality generate a variety of processes and outcomes of decision-making. The paper gives 
some suggestions on sensitivity of the behaviour of agents to the algorithmic choice and to the codification of 
knowledge. Preliminary results show that in an iterated prisoner's dilemma interesting patterns of behaviour 
(such as strategies that perform better than the tit-for-tat) emerge.
Length: 26 pages
Creation-Date: 2006-01
File-URL: http://www.est.unito.it/do/home.pl/Download?doc=/allegati/wp2006dip/3_wp_fontanaferraris.pdf
File-Format: Application/PDF
Handle: RePEc:uto:dipeco:200603