Fig. 2

A simulation model mimics a target system (a). The black arrow illustrates the mimicking relation. The dashed grey line describes the evidential role of the simulated data: If the model successfully mimics the target system, then simulated data may be used as evidence about the target system. The simulation model takes empirical data modified with data models as input (thin solid grey arrows), and yields simulated data that then replaces the empirical data as the best description of the climate system. (Color figure online)