Every claim below was made in this piece, quoted word for word and numbered in the order the piece makes them, so you can read it there rather than take our word for it. The sentence above each quote is our reading of the claim, not their wording. Each quote was checked against a stored copy of the page at build time; where the two differ, the quote is the fact.
Our reading
A thought experiment serves to encourage speculation and logical thinking and to change paradigms.
Mental modelThought experiments
Their wordsThe purpose of a thought experiment is to encourage speculation, logical thinking and to change paradigms.
Our reading
Thought experiments expose gaps in knowledge and help recognise the limits of what can be known.
Mental modelThought experiments
Their wordsThought experiments push us outside our comfort zone by forcing us to confront questions we cannot answer with ease. They demonstrate gaps in our knowledge and help us recognize the limits of what can be known.
Our reading
Thought experiments are a structured form of natural human curiosity about the world.
Mental modelThought experiments
Their wordsThought experiments are a structured manifestation of our natural curiosity about the world.
Our reading
Philosophers use imagined scenarios not to reach a "correct" answer but to spark new ideas.
Mental modelThought experiments
Their wordsWith the aim of illustrating a particular concept (such as free will or mortality), philosophers explore imagined scenarios. The goal is not to uncover a ‘correct’ answer, but to spark new ideas.
Our reading
Mental modelThought experiments
Their wordsAlthough empirical evidence is usually necessary for science, thought experiments may be used to develop a hypothesis or to prepare for experimentation.
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