Agents and MAS in STaMs

We propose an abstract mathematical model of space and time within which to study agents, multi-agent systems and their environments. The model is unusual in three ways: an attempt is made to reduce the structure and behaviour of agents and their environment to the properties of the “matter” of which they are composed, a “block time” perspective is taken rather than a “past/present/future” perspective, and the emphasis is placed on discovering agents within the model, rather than on designing agents into it. The model is developed in a little semi-formal detail, some relevant experimental computational results are reported, and questions prompted by the model are discussed.