Alex Mathie (Ludwig Maximilians Universität, Munich and University of Bonn)

Title: Black Holes & Analogy
Abstract: Reasoning using analogies is ubiquitous in science, where observed similarities between different domains might act as heuristics for theory development. In this talk, I explore two instances of analogical reasoning in black hole physics that seem to overreach this traditional heuristic role (analogue gravity, and the formal analogy between the laws of thermodynamics and the laws of black hole mechanics). Furthermore, I argue that not only are these two instances of analogical reasoning connected in an important way, but that the relationship between them induces a tension for those who wish to take black hole thermodynamics seriously, but who are skeptical of the epistemic legitimacy of analogue gravity.

#blackholes #thermodynamics #hawkingradiation #analoguegravity #analogicalreasoning