We seem to be relying increasingly on computer simulations to model complex problems. Simulations are being used to model the weather, climate change, earthquake activity, the evolution of the Universe, the evolution of galaxies and the distribution of dark matter. Consider this article about a simulation that describes how dark matter is distributed in a galaxy. The simulation assumes that dark matter exists.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0609073156.htm
In any computer simulation, we have to set and prioritise what we think are the important initial conditions. A model of the theory is reduced to mathematical expressions that operate on the data. More often, computer simulations use an iterative process whereby data produced in one run becomes the input for the next run. Many simulations require a supercomputer due to an enormous amount of data being modified over a huge number of iterations.
How can a simulation support a particular theory? I suspect that the verification of a theory can only occur if a simulation modeling it makes an observable prediction which can be confirmed. My worry is that many simulations are scaffolding an imaginary Universe without any real-world confirmation. For example, the simulation in the link above.
Anyone else with any thoughts on this?
Regards, Rob.