If human societies are so complex, then how can we hope to understand them? Artificial Life gives us one answer. The field of Artificial Life comprises a diverse set of introspective studies that largely ask the same questions, albeit from many different perspectives: Why are we here? Who are we? Why do we behave as we do? Starting with the origins of life provides us with fascinating answers to some of these questions. However, some researchers choose to bring their studies closer to the present day. We are after all, human. It has been a few billion years since our ancestors were self-replicating molecules. Thus, more direct studies of ourselves and our human societies can reveal truths that may lead to practical knowledge. The papers in this special issue bring together scientists who choose to perform this kind of research.

翻译：如果说人类社会如此复杂，那么我们又如何期望理解它们？人工生命给了我们一个答案。人工生命领域包含一系列多样化的内省研究，这些研究尽管从许多不同角度出发，但大多提出相同的问题：我们为何在此？我们是谁？我们为何如此行为？从生命起源入手，为其中一些问题提供了引人入胜的答案。然而，一些研究者选择将研究推进至更贴近当下的时代。毕竟，我们是人类。从我们的祖先是自我复制分子至今，已过去数十亿年。因此，对我们自身及人类社会的更直接研究，能够揭示可能产生实用知识的真理。本特刊收录的论文汇聚了致力于开展此类研究的科学家们。