Thought Experiments

What are thought experiments?

Thought experiments are scenarios of the imagination set up with specific parameters so that different aspects can be explored in a safe and controlled environment. These can be as complicated and scientific as Schrodinger’s Cat, or The Trolley Problem, or just testing of the boundaries of a metaphor such as, “Is a pizza an open faced sandwich?”

Thought experiments give us a chance to play with ideas and a framework to do it in. Thought experiments have a huge overlap with role play, in the therapeutic and the social game sense, both explore the possible outcomes of specific scenarios. In my opinion thought experiments that Scientist and Philosophers seem to do is MORE like role play than the thought experiments writers do, because writers are not then bound to bring their conclusions back to a shared reality.

Scientists and Philosophers are by definition searching for a “Truth”. Writers and artists create knowing it is the observer or reader who brings their truth, or finds their truth in the connection with the piece. They do not need to confine themselves to what is physically, morally, or practically possible. Their limits are the limits of language, the limits of perception, and the limits of imagination. These are very different but overlapping things.

Being able to play with thinking is a very important tool, one I think everyone uses with or without awareness. I am focusing myself to do more thought experimentation and will write up some of what I find to share.