Antosz and colleagues' review of the role of theory in agent-based modelling (ABM) makes important recommendations for modelling practitioners. However, macro-micro-macro frameworks are not necessarily as reliant on existing theory as the review suggests. Adopting a critical realist perspective to ABM design would help to deliver the recommendations, within which macro-micro-macro frameworks can play an important enabling role.
Keywords: Agent-based modelling; Complex systems; Critical realism; Macro-micro-macro frameworks; Model discovery.