Thought Experiments

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Thought Experiments
By Carrie Anne Ebner
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What is a Thought Experiment?

• GadankenThought Experiment
• Thought experiments are a way to conceptualize a
  difficult philosophical debate.
• They aim to mimic science experiments.

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What are some Critical Attributes of the Thought
Experiment?

• Less messy than Science Experiments
• Cause an Increase in Critical thinking skills
• Often begin in ordinary language usage indicator
  terms like
• What if
• Hypothetically speaking
• Imagine a possible world where

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Some Historical Thought Experimenters

• William Paley, Theologian-Philosopher, 18th
  Century
• Design Argument using a watch as analogy for
  Divine creation

• René Descartes, Rationalist Philosopher, 17th
  Century
• Argument from Certainty I think, therefore I
  am.

• Hilary Putnam, Philosopher of Science, 21st
  Century
• Twin Earth Thought Experiment

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TheTwin Earth Thought Experiment
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Doppelgangers are our twins

• Exact time/space copies of us.
• Your Doppelgangers thoughts are happening at the
  same time as yours.
• Every experience you have had, your Doppelganger
  has had.
• And, every word in your mind referring to objects
  you know, are the same as your twins.

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The One Small Difference

• On Earth, water is H

• On Twin Earth, water is a complicated chemical
  formula abbreviated as

XYZ.
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Water on Twin Earth and Earth tastes the same and
quenches thirstIdentically.
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Our Doppelgangers bathe and shower in H2O and
XYZ. in the same way
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But, the liquid that fills lakes and oceans and
rivers is different on each planet.
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A Question of Reference

• When my Doppelganger asks your Doppelganger on
  Twin Earth for a glass of waterdo they refer to
  the same thing on Earth as they do on Twin Earth?

Why or Why Not?
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Therefore

• Thought Experiments cause us to consider possible
  alternatives to taken-for-granted ideas.
• Thought Experiments, like science experiments,
  give us a method for deliberating about
  problematic thoughts.
• Thought Experiments occur in everyday life with
  linguistic indicators like what if, or
  hypothetically speaking.
• And Thought Experiments have been used for
  centuries, creating great debate and
  consideration amongst thinkers.

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Therefore

• Thought Experiments cause us to consider possible
  alternatives to taken-for-granted ideas.
• Thought Experiments, like science experiments,
  give us a method for deliberating about
  problematic thoughts.
• Thought Experiments occur in everyday life with
  linguistic indicators like what if, or
  hypothetically speaking.
• And Thought Experiments have been used for
  centuries, creating great debate and
  consideration amongst thinkers.

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Therefore

• Thought Experiments cause us to consider possible
  alternatives to taken-for-granted ideas.
• Thought Experiments, like science experiments,
  give us a method for deliberating about
  problematic thoughts.
• Thought Experiments occur in everyday life with
  linguistic indicators like what if, or
  hypothetically speaking.
• And Thought Experiments have been used for
  centuries, creating great debate and
  consideration amongst thinkers.

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Therefore

• Thought Experiments cause us to consider possible
  alternatives to taken-for-granted ideas.
• Thought Experiments, like science experiments,
  give us a method for deliberating about
  problematic thoughts.
• Thought Experiments occur in everyday life with
  linguistic indicators like what if, or
  hypothetically speaking.
• And Thought Experiments have been used for
  centuries, creating great debate and
  consideration amongst thinkers.

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As far as Twin Earth and Earth go See Putnam,
Hilary, Reason, Truth and History. Cambridge
University Press, UK.1981
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