The Value of Thought Experiments in Ethical Inquiry

A "thought experiment" is a tool that is ubiquitously used in philosophy to help unpack one's intuitions about some concept. In last week's show about justice, we discussed the famous "Trolley Problem" a famous thought experiment that unleashes our intuitions about ethics issues concerning killing. Thought experiments have been the source of ridicule of philosophy -- to wit -- the popular characterization of philosophers as asking pointless questions such as "how many angels can dance on the head of pin." This week's show examines the use of thought experiments in ethics. Consider: if ethics is concerned with behavior, then questions arise as to the impact, if any, that thought experiments have on behavior; if ethics is concerned with reason, then questions arise as to the impact, if any, that thought experiments have on reason; and if ethics is concerned with a type of moral perception, questions arise as to the impact, if any, that thought experiments have on perception. We will begin to explore these questions and as always encourage our listeners to call in with their insights.