Supercomputers In Theoretical And Experimental Science

Supercomputers in Theoretical and Experimental Science

The International Workshop on "The Use of Super computers in Theoretical Science" took place from July 30 till August 1, 1984, at the Conference Center of the "Priorij Corsendonk", close to the city of Antwerpen, Belgium. During the past decade computational science has developed itself to a third methodology besides the experimental and theoretical sciences. This remarkable evolution was only possible due to a drastic increase of the computational power of present day computers. Indeed, computational physics and chemistry as such is certainly not new, but it was only during the past ten years or so that realistic problems could be solved numerically to a sufficient degree of accuracy. During this workshop the state-of-the-art in high speed computation was presented by a team of lecturers who are well known for their competence in this field. It is a pleasure to thank several organizations and companies who made this workshop possible. First of all, the main sponsors: the Belgian National Science Found ation (NFWO-FNRS) and the "Universitaire Instelling Ant werpen". Next, the co-sponsors: Agfa-Gevaert N. V., Control Data Belgium and the Belgian Ministry of Education. Special thanks are due to Dr. P.E. Van Camp and Drs. H. Nachtegaele for the practical organization of this workshop. I would also like to thank Mrs. H. Evans for typing the manuscripts and for preparing the author and subject index. v Last but not least I express my gratitude to Mr.

Supercomputers

Simulating Science

This book provides a philosophical framework to understand computer simulations as scientific instruments. This is in sharp contrast to existing philosophical approaches on the subject, which have historically understood computer simulations as either formal abstractions or as broadly construed empirical practices. In order to make its case, the volume contains a thorough examination of conventional philosophical approaches as well as their respective limitations. Yet, also, unlike other accounts of computer simulations from the perspective of the philosophy of science, this book incorporates insights from the philosophy of technology and the history of science. Hence, the book offers philosophers of science, technologists and other researchers interested in the topic, a thorough overview of the philosophical issues regarding the design, development and deployment of computer simulations in science and science-based policy making.