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：如果人类社会如此复杂，那么我们又如何能够理解它们呢？人工生命为我们提供了一种答案。人工生命领域包含了一系列多样化的内省性研究，这些研究尽管从众多不同的视角出发，但本质上都提出了相同的问题：我们为何在此？我们是谁？我们为何如此行为？从生命的起源入手，为我们解答其中一些问题提供了引人入胜的答案。然而，一些研究者选择将他们的研究更贴近当下。毕竟，我们是人类。自我们的祖先成为自我复制的分子以来，已过去了数十亿年。因此，对人类社会及我们自身进行更直接的研究，能够揭示出可能转化为实用知识的真理。本特刊收录的论文汇集了选择从事此类研究的科学家们。