Single Idea 5515

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

Full Idea

I believe it is worth considering imaginary cases (such as Teletransportation), as we can use them to discover, not what the truth is, but what we believe.

Gist of Idea

Imaginary cases are good for revealing our beliefs, rather than the truth

Source

Derek Parfit (The Unimportance of Identity [1995], p.293)

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Martin,R /Barresi,J [Blackwells 2003], p.293


A Reaction

The trouble is that we might say that IF I were suddenly turned into a pig, then I would come to believe in dualism, but that will not and cannot happen, because dualism is false. It seems essential to accept the natural possibility of the case.