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Generalities and Terminology

In: Combat Modeling

Author

Listed:
  • Alan Washburn

    (Naval Postgraduate School)

  • Moshe Kress

    (Naval Postgraduate School)

Abstract

A model is an abstraction of reality. An abstraction can take many forms: an architect might construct a physical miniature model of the building he plans; a CEO of a corporation might use a diagram to present a new business idea, and a physicist might use a set of differential equations to represent some physical phenomenon. The need for models stems from the fact that the real world is too complicated for us to reason about and contains many details that are not necessarily relevant. Our limited intellects permit us to deal only with abstractions that retain the essence of the matter without the distracting details. The miniature model of the building, the diagram, and the set of differential equations are manifestations of these abstractions and henceforth called simply models. Thus, models are entities of various types – physical, notional, or mathematical – that share the fact that they represent only an abstraction of a real object or situation. Models are used for reasoning, insight, planning, and prediction. They need to capture the key factors of the object or situation and faithfully represent them so that the models can be utilized effectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Washburn & Moshe Kress, 2009. "Generalities and Terminology," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Combat Modeling, chapter 0, pages 1-13, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:isochp:978-1-4419-0790-5_1
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-0790-5_1
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