Model Paradigms

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to present a brief — by no means complete — overview of different model types and paradigms. It is certainly not the goal to give a thorough account of all types of mathematical models and their solution procedures. That would by itself fill several volumes. I shall present only certain model types and approaches that from my point of view seem important — especially in the light of the ongoing vast unification in mathematical modeling that is taking place at different levels today.

“And suppose we solve all the problems...? What happens? We end up with more problems than we started with. Because that’s the way problems propagate their species. A problem left to itself dries up or goes rotten. But fertilize a problem with a solution — you’ll hatch out dozens.”

— Simpson N.F., A Resounding Tinkle, Act I, Sc. I