Two epistemological challenges regarding hypothetical modeling

Sometimes, scientific models are either intended to or plausibly interpreted as representing nonactual but possible targets. Call this “hypothetical modeling”. This paper raises two epistemological challenges concerning hypothetical modeling. To begin with, I observe that given common philosophical assumptions about the scope of objective possibility, fallible with respect what is objectively possible. There thus a need distinguish between accurate and inaccurate The first challenge no account for epistemology seems cohere most characteristic function modeling in general, i.e., surrogative representation. second version “reliability challenges” familiar from other areas. explain how could be reliable guide possible, they not cannot compared against their targets updated accordingly. close some brief remarks on solutions these challenges.