Technical and ethical considerations in modeling and simulation

The ever-increasing power and prevalence of computers is making modeling an d simulation technology accessible throughout society. The result is that m odeling and simulation are being integrated into all sorts of computer-base d applications. This increasing interconnection and interdependence of comp uter-generated models and our actions have direct implications on almost ev ery aspect of modern society. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important f or those who develop, use, or otherwise engage in modeling and simulation t o have an understanding of the importance of ethical responsibility as well as the need to adhere to rigorous standards. To this end, this paper (a) d iscusses some of the key technical considerations which constitute, and con tribute to, good principles and practices; (b) provides critical analyses o f previous work which shed light on how to improve key aspects of model con struction, model validation, software verification; and (c) offers a set of heuristics as a guide for personal ethical conduct in carrying out modelin g and computer simulation studies. This paper was inspired by a keynote add ress given in 1995 at The Society for Computer Simulation Summer Computer S imulation Conference in Ottawa, Canada, bl Professor Emeritus Maurice Elzas , Knowledge Systems Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Wageningen University in the Netherlands.