Thebault, Karim P Y and Bradley, Seamus and Reutlinger, Alexander (2015) Modelling Inequality. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Econophysics is a new and exciting cross-disciplinary research field that applies models and modelling techniques from statistical physics to economic systems. It is not, however, without its critics: prominent figures in more mainstream economic theory have criticised some elements of the methodology of econophysics. One of the main lines of criticism concerns the nature of the modelling assumptions and idealisations involved, and a particular target are `kinetic exchange' approaches used to model the emergence of inequality within the distribution of individual monetary income. This paper will consider such models in detail, and assess the warrant of the criticisms drawing upon the philosophical literature on modelling and idealisation. Our aim is to provide the first steps towards informed mediation of this important and interesting interdisciplinary debate, and our hope is to offer guidance with regard to both the practice of modelling inequality, and the inequality of modelling practice.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Thebault, Karim P Y karim.thebault@bristol.ac.uk Bradley, Seamus Seamus.Bradley@lrz.uni-muenchen.de Reutlinger, Alexander Alexander.Reutlinger@uni-koeln.de
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Keywords:	Econophysics, Inequality, Models, Idealisations
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Economics General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	Dr Karim Thebault
Date Deposited:	21 Dec 2015 03:24
Last Modified:	21 Dec 2015 03:24
Item ID:	11823
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Economics General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	20 December 2015
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11823

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• Modelling Inequality. (deposited 20 Aug 2015 16:25)
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