Computer Experiment's Method In Social Sciences

It is well known that compared with natural sciences, the development of social sciences appears to be lagging. How to understand the complex social phenomena rightly is still a big problem we have to face. One of the most important reasons is that the objects of social sciences usually cannot be replicated, so we unable to do the real experiment to research of social sciences directly.Following the emergence and rapid popularization of computer, we take the computer experiment to be the real experiment's substitute, so it's possible to solve the social phenomena that can't be replicated. In fact, in recent years, computer experiment has already used in many domains of social sciences (such as economics, sociology etc.), moreover, the tendency is developing rapidly.This article aims at analyzing the characteristics and the traditional methods of social sciences to discuss the feasibility, possibility and effect when we use computer experiment's method to study in social sciences, and further analyzing the epistemological and methodological value ofcomputer experiment.The first part outlines the traditional methods of social sciences. Through distinguishing characteristics between natural sciences and social sciences, analyzing traditional methods used in social sciences, this part points out the functions and intrinsic limitations of them in mastering the human behaviors and social phenomena. In a word, it is necessary to find a new method to study social phenomena that can't be replicated.The second part elaborates computer experiment and its vital functions applied in social sciences. It uses methods such as the diagram, comparison and example to analyze several computer experiments in social sciences, and demonstrates concretely the superiorities and the broad prospects of using computer experiment to research of social sciences.The third part discusses the epistemological and the methodological value primarily based on the application of computer experiment in social sciences. Facing the complexities of social objects, computer experiment at least has solved the social problems that can't be replicated partly and effectively, and it has also initiated philosophical ponders to computer experiment. Whether computer simulation can equate the real world and humanity's perceptive behavior becomes the key point of discussion. According to the analysis of scholars both from home and abroad, thispart proves in details that computer experiment can bring new knowledge to us and it can become the essential method to understand social phenomena in particular. If we can control research process and means properly, we might consider the virtual world which computer simulated as the mode of the real world. The results of computer experiment takes to the humanity is not only the related possible explanation and existent proof, but also causes humanity's understanding to advance a deeper broader domain.Finally, the article analyzes the limitations of computer experiment and indicates we should master the merit of computer experiment and display its biggest effect in understanding and transforming world. At the same time we should maintain clear understanding to improve the insufficiencies of computer experiment constantly and seek more effective research methods to understand unknown world deeply.