What’s so special about black hole simulations?

Abstract This paper defends an epistemology for terrestrial black hole simulations based on Hesse’s theory of material analogy in science. We outline the main verdicts and recommendations of this approach, arguing that they not only fit the experimental practice but are also more credible than those supported by competing proposals. Our analysis questions the role of so-called ‘universality results’ in establishing an evidential function for current experiments, while also escaping the conclusion that we learn nothing about black holes from simulating them.