Using cellular automata to teach complexity theory

The author, a professor at Augsburg College wanted to help his students see two points: first, given what we now know about complex adaptive systems, and given that many of the systems we find worthy of academic study are complex adaptive systems, the classical problem of induction is far more formidable than we had previously supposed. Second, he wanted his students to see that philosophy of science should be understood as one more complex adaptive system which will have little useful to offer in the way of broader characterizations or prescriptions of how science should be practiced. He addressed these problems using cellular automata (CA) simulated on high-end Macintoshes. He wrote a number of programs to simulate the CAs and then set up lab explorations for his students so that they could experimentally test his claims. Not only did they follow in his steps and come to understand the abstract claims, they saw, experimented, and considered enough to "push the envelope" and notice some things and raise some questions he had missed