Jacopo Giraldo

Computer simulations (CSs) are widely adopted in science, although their characteristics and purposes can significantly vary depending on the scientific context. In this paper, we focus on CSs in astrophysics and we consider the paradigmatic case of the BepiColombo-MORE relativity experiment. By presenting three different case studies in which the same set of CSs is adopted, we argue that CSs allow us to make inferential claims by serving three distinct roles: (i) providing higher-order knowledge, (ii) orienting knowledge, (iii) disclosing knowledge. We discuss this three-fold taxonomy, drawing the similarities and the differences with respect to the literature in philosophy of astrophysics. We point out that the proposed classification is not intended as a general and exhaustive categorization for any astrophysical problem; rather, it highlights that the roles of CSs should be addressed on a case-by-case basis, given the strong context-sensitivity of the problem. Additionally, we emphasize that the three proposed roles can be performed by the same set of CSs, depending on the context and scientific goals. While the set of CSs underpinning each case study remains the same, it enables distinct epistemic claims based on the specific case.