The Sciences of the Artificial

Herbert Simon's classic book, The Sciences of the Artificial, forcefully asserts that there can be a science not only of natural phenomena, but also of that which is artificial. Exploring its common features—including economic systems, firms, artificial intelligence, complex engineering projects, and social planning—Simon argues that designed systems are a legitimate field of study and lays the foundation for a science of design. In this new edition (originally published in 1996), new material reflects advances in cognitive psychology and design science, confirming and expanding the book's core thesis: a physical symbol system possesses the necessary and sufficient means for general intelligent action.

Simon won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1978 for his research into the decision-making process within economic organizations, and the Turing Award (considered by many to be the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in computer science) jointly with Allen Newell in 1975 for their contributions to artificial intelligence, the psychology of human cognition, and list processing. The Sciences of the Artificial offers an accessible and coherent view of the latest developments in Simon's thinking.