Why agent-based modelling?

can describe macroscopic properties of a system that is already known, but don't explain the origin of those properties. (e.g. rate constants)

cannot be easily extrapolated to situations where the assumptions behind the equations no longer hold. (e.g. Hookes law F = -kx)

don't handle discontinuous systems well

don't handle heterogenity in populations well

ABM complements and enhances rather than supplants, traditional approaches.