What If--: Collected Thought Experiments in PhilosophyWhat If. . .Collected Thought Experiments in Philosophy is a brief collection of over 100 classic and contemporary "thought experiments," each exploring an important philosophical argument. These thought experiments introduce students to the kind of disciplined thought required in philosophy, and awaken their intellectual curiosity. Featuring a clear and conversational writing style that doesn't dilute the ideas, the value of the book is in its simplicity-in both format and tone. Each thought experiment is accompanied by commentary from the author that explains its importance and provides thought-provoking questions, all encapsulated on two pages. |
Contents
Free Will and Determinism | 16 |
Pascals Wager | 30 |
Rowes Fawn | 44 |
Copyright | |
14 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abortion according Achilles acorns and apples actions Alexander Campbell Fraser argues argument Barber Paradox barn belief body brain Brownson causal Chinese choose claims consciousness consider continuity death desires determine Doomsday Machine Earthian emeralds ence Epimenides equally Equim Ethics euthanasia evil example exist fact freeze Furthermore Gavagai Gettier Goldman grue H₂O happen happiness Hardin's human identity innocent Judith Jarvis Thomson justice justified kill knowledge Leibniz's Liar Paradox lifeboat lives Locke's logically mean memories ment mental mind morally permissible natural Nozick object one's paradox Parfit perhaps person Philosophy physical Plantinga possible principle psychological punishment question rabbit reason Regan replica reprinted response result says scenario Ship of Theseus Shoemaker's Smith and Jones someone Source space suggests Suppose uppose surely Teletransporter things Thomson thought experiment tion Tom Regan Trolley Problem true Twin Earth utilitarian Wilt Chamberlain wrong York