Full Idea
We have abundant empirical evidence that when we can imagine some phenomenal situation, e.g., imagine things appearing certain ways, such a situation could actually exist.
Gist of Idea
Empirical evidence shows that imagining a phenomenon can show it is possible
Source
Sydney Shoemaker (Causal and Metaphysical Necessity [1998], VI)
Book Reference
Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.423
A Reaction
There seem to be good reasons for holding the opposite view too. We can imagine gold appearing to be all sorts of colours, but that doesn't make it possible. What does empirical evidence really tell us here?