Types of Thought Experiments

Philosophical Blog Post

Exploring Philosophical Thought Experiments Themes

Aesthetics

  • Authenticity vs cultural amalgamation
  • Temporary beauty vs lasting permanence
  • High pleasure vs low pleasure
  • Art as intentional creation vs random natural occurrences
  • Counterargument to expressive theory: art isn't just intentional expression of examined clarified emotions.

Politics and Social

  • Utilitarian guilt ridden action vs moral inaction.
  • Utility monster: Utilitarianism exploited as hedonistic endeavors.
  • Tragedy of the commons: shared resources overused.
  • Ownership vs labor rights and their conflicts.
  • Radical translation: challenges in interpreting languages and meaning.
  • Language game: social context shaping language use.
  • Fair inequality (better than past vs better than others)
  • Surprise paradox: surprise does not work if it has a time frame

Identity

  • Personal identity: Are you your body or something beyond it?
  • Memory implant: Are you defined solely by your memories?
  • Anonymity and its role in altering behavior.
  • Is something labeled an adjective due to its function, or does it perform a function because it fits the label?

Epistemology & Perception

  • Is knowledge just experience, or can it exist without it?
  • Gettier problem: Justified true belief isn't sufficient due to luck.
  • Münchhausen trilemma: infinite regress, circular reasoning, or axioms in justification.

Consciousness & Mind

  • Simulation Hypothesis
  • Pain vs memory of pain—what's worse?
  • Can intention exist without action?
  • Do thoughts cause actions, or do they merely precede them ( epiphenomenalism)?
  • Is freedom to choose real with only one option?

Ethical Dilemma

  • Luck determining moral right or wrong.
  • Big book paradox: Knowledge doesn’t ensure ethical behavior.
  • Unpleasant truth vs pleasant lie—what would you choose?
  • Is merely thinking bad if it hurts no one?
  • Do you wrong someone if they consent to it?
  • Does distance/time lessen the immorality of a wrong act?
  • Should duty be rewarded? If no, why should someone go out of their way to do their duty?
  • Should charity rewards still count as charity?

Special Experiments

  • Does the pain of being content with life's meaninglessness outweigh the sadness of searching for meaning?
  • Roko's basilisk: AI-driven existential risks.
  • Antifish philosophy: Boss asks for lower pay, but workers can’t ask for less work.
  • Intuition pump: All thought experiments are flawed.
  • Violinist problem: Ethical dilemmas around bodily autonomy and obligations.

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