TY - JOUR

T1 - Anomalies and Social Experience: Backcasting with Simulation Models

AU - Bloomfield, Brian

PY - 1985/11

Y1 - 1985/11

N2 - This paper applies Bloor's extension of Douglas's grid/group theory to a novel case-namely, a debate which took place concerning the `retrodiction' or `backcasting' of system dynamics global simulation models. The paper has two aims: first, in terms of understanding this debate, it seeks to link the different treatments of anomalies within it both to the strategies for dealing with mathematical counter-examples described by Lakatos, and to the social experiences of the different protagonists; secondly, in terms of methodology, it attempts to illuminate both the possibilities and the difficulties of applying Bloor's scheme to cases outside pure mathematics.

AB - This paper applies Bloor's extension of Douglas's grid/group theory to a novel case-namely, a debate which took place concerning the `retrodiction' or `backcasting' of system dynamics global simulation models. The paper has two aims: first, in terms of understanding this debate, it seeks to link the different treatments of anomalies within it both to the strategies for dealing with mathematical counter-examples described by Lakatos, and to the social experiences of the different protagonists; secondly, in terms of methodology, it attempts to illuminate both the possibilities and the difficulties of applying Bloor's scheme to cases outside pure mathematics.

U2 - 10.1177/030631285015004003

DO - 10.1177/030631285015004003

M3 - Journal article

VL - 15

SP - 631

EP - 675

JO - Social Studies of Science

JF - Social Studies of Science

SN - 0306-3127

IS - 4

ER -