I think the argument is simpler than that. I have a PC, if I wanted to emulate an old Nintendo system well enough to play I dont have to emulate from the physics upwards.
Even though every NES in existence is a physical system, you don't physical level simulation to create and have a playable NES system via emulation.
Even though every NES in existence is a physical system, you don't physical level simulation to create and have a playable NES system via emulation.