Heuristic derivation of continuum kinetic equations from microscopic dynamics.

We present an approximate and heuristic scheme for the derivation of continuum kinetic equations from microscopic dynamics for stochastic, interacting systems. The method consists of a mean-field-type, decoupled approximation of the master equation followed by the "naive" continuum limit. The Ising model and driven diffusive systems are used as illustrations. The equations derived are in agreement with other approaches, and consequences of the microscopic dependences of coarse-grained parameters compare favorably with exact or high-temperature expansions. The method is valuable when more systematic and rigorous approaches fail, and when microscopic inputs in the continuum theory are desirable.