Thought Experiments
Reading
Using Reading for Philosophical Inquiry by Lee Archie and John Archie (2004), work through the thought experiments below.
Access each reading in the following PDF: Philosophical Inquiry (link)
Philosophical Inquiry Table of Contents*
- p. 22–35 — Nature of Learning: Recognition of Different Perspectives
- p. 32–35 — Facts Are Often Theory-Dependent
- p. 37–42 — Applications of the Philosophical Method of Thoughts
- p. 43–45 — The Barometer Story
- p. 47–49 — Epistemology: the Study of Knowledge
- p. 49–50 — Metaphysics (Ontology): the Study of Reality
- p. 50–55 — Axiology
- p. 51 — Aesthetics Activity
- Ignorance and Knowledge Experiment
- p. 56–57 — Plato & Socrates – “Just Do What’s Right”
*Note: Type in the page number within the searchable PDF in the search bar found within the PDF, located at the top.
Thought Experiments
Work through the questions as you read through the corresponding thought experiment in the above reading.
The Nature of Learning: Recognition of Different Perspective (p. 22–36)
- Explain what John Dewey means when he points out that “The ideal of using the present simply to get ready for the future contradicts itself.”
- Samuel Scudder writes, “. . . what I had gained by this outside experience has been of greater value than years of later investigation. . . .” What is it that Samuel Scudder thinks he learned by studying with Professor Agassiz?
- If we seek an explanation for a state of affairs, how do we select the relevant facts of the situation? Does an explanatory theory need to be based on all of the facts in order to be true?
- How does Samuel Scudder’s experience illustrate the view that philosophy begins when “we don’t know our way about?”
- Discuss whether or not Tycho Brahe and Nicolaus Copernicus see the same thing at dawn
Applications of the Philosophical Method of Thoughts (p. 37–42)
- How is philosophy provisionally defined in this chapter?
- What do you think is the difference between thinking about the methods for solving a problem and applying a method for solving a problem?
- What are some of the differences between philosophy and science?
- Briefly characterize the main branches of philosophy.
- Do you think the kinds of distinct things that exist in the universe are independent of the concepts we use for description? Consider the following koans: “Where does my fist go when I open my hand?” “Where does my lap go when I stand up?”
Epistemology, Metaphysics and Axiology (p. 47–51)
- How are values related to interest, desire, will, experience, and means-to-end?
- How do different kinds of value interrelate?
- Can the distinction between intrinsic and instrumental values be maintained?
- Are values ultimately rationally or objectively based?
- What is the difference between a matter of fact and a matter of value?
Facts Are Often Theory-Dependent (p. 32–35)
- What is a fact? Are there different types of facts?
- How do you prove facts? How do you prove things that are obvious?
- Do facts change with new discoveries? Are facts discovered, or are they constructs of theories?
The Barometer Story (p. 43)
- What are your initial reactions or thoughts about the ending of the story?
- What are the main takeaways for you?
Aesthetics Activity (p. 50–51)
- First, read pg. 50–51 on Axiology.
- Try to address the question posed on page 51: “Which rectangle is the the most aesthetically pleasing?
- After making your choice, finish reading the rest of page 51.
Bibliography
Archie, Lee and John G. Archie. 2004. Reading for Philosophical Inquiry: A Brief Introduction to Philosophical Thinker ver. 0.21; An Open Source Reader. Greenwood, SC: Lander University. http://greatthinkers.pressbooks.tru.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/165/2024/08/Philsophical-Inquiry.pdf.
Attribution
Unless otherwise noted, Reading for Philosophical Inquiry: A Brief Introduction to Philosophical Thinking (ver. 0.21) by Lee Archie and John G. Archie (2004) is used under the GNU Free Documentation License.
