Thought Experiments and Imagistic Simulation in Plausible Reasoning

Abstract

This chapter investigates the origins of conviction in thought experiments. To do this I build on the set of sources of knowledge identified in Chapter 13 for imagistic simulations, since imagistic simulations are seen as playing a key role in thought experiments. This leads to the development of an initial theory or process model for thought experimenting, addressing the paradox implied by the sensation of “doing an empirical experiment in one's head.” I then extend the theory to discuss how thought experiments are used within more complex reasoning modes such as analogy and model evaluation. These reasoning modes will be used as components in the larger theory of scientific investigation processes to be presented in Chapter 16.