What can we learn (and not learn) from thought experiments in black hole thermodynamics?

Abstract Scientists investigating the thermal properties of black holes rely heavily on theoretical and non-empirical tools, such as mathematical derivations, analogue experiments thought experiments. Although use derivations in context hole physics has recently received a great deal attention among philosophers science, (TEs) that been almost completely neglected. In this paper, we will start filling gap by systematically analyzing epistemic role two TEs gave birth to thermodynamics, namely Wheeler’s demon Geroch’s engine. We argue main functions these are reveal resolve inconsistencies, line with El Skaf’s (Probing statements Synthese 199:6119–6147, 2021) approach TEs. will, then, go beyond stressing an important difference between strategies employed assess reliability each function.