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On the first day of this year’s Wittgenstein Lecture, Kevin Zollman will explore how complex social dynamics can be understood through simple models, using the example of polarization.

Our social lives are shaped by intricate interactions, where individual actions often influence others in far-reaching ways. This lecture introduces the use of simple computational models as a tool for gaining insight into such dynamics. Focusing on polarization, Zollman will present a remarkably simple model that highlights a key driver: our tendency to engage primarily with like-minded others.
The day will conclude with a philosophical reflection on what we seek to understand when studying social phenomena through this modeling lens.

Curious? Then look forward to the Wittgenstein Lecture from June 15 to 19 2026!