return to list of latest ideas

Single Idea 20183

[catalogued under 2. Reason / E. Argument / 7. Thought Experiments]

Full Idea

What are called 'thought experiments' in philosophy are in effect just philosophers drawing our attention to interesting features of the world.

Gist of Idea

So-called 'though experiments' are just philosophers observing features of the world

Source

Herman Cappelen (Philosophy without Intuitions [2012], 11.3)

A Reaction

Thought experiments are said to rely (perhaps excessively) on 'intuition', but Cappelen says intuition is irrelevant, because we are merely making judgements. It think they ARE experiments, if one feature varies while the rest is held steady.

Book Reference

Cappelen,Herman: 'Philosophy Without Intuitions' [OUP 2012], p.225