Thought experiments:

Hypothetical scenarios designed to elicit a response.

Thought experiments have a number of functions or uses

for philosophers.

Thought experiments are like scientific experiments in

that philosophers use them to collect data. Moreover,

philosophers test their hypotheses with this data.

Philosophers often use results from thought experiments

to make conclusions about certain philosophical claims.

Also philosophers often combine thought experiments

with conceptual analysis.

Counterexamples to conceptual analyses often come

in the form of thought experiments.

Example: Epistemology (study of knowledge)

What is knowledge?

What does it mean for someone to know something?

What does it mean for someone to know some fact?

Traditional analysis:

In order for x to know that p.

x must believe p.

12. Thought Experiments Part 2

Into to Prob of Philosophy (PHIL-100)