🧠 The Thought Experiment Lab [public]

​"Imagination without reason is mere fancy, but reason without imagination is sterile. That is partly why scientists and philosophers alike have always used imaginary scenarios to help sharpen their ideas and push them to their limits." - The Pig that Wants to be Eaten, by Julian Baggini

​I'm interested in discussing some such interesting philosophical thought experiments, and hopefully gaining some insight together into the issues all around us.

​At each meeting, we'll do some quick reading to explain and provide background on a popular thought experiment, and take the remaining time to share and discuss our perspectives. The book we'll be drawing from is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hDL4TeIlMuUp6csU50uy1Z3IHmU2C1SY/view?usp=drive_link

For this meeting (September 18), we'll be choosing between:

• ​#4 (A Byte on the Side, pg. 25)

• ​#43 (Future Shock, pg. 168)

​Each week, we'll read a few thought experiments and choose which one to discuss. No prior reading is required. Some examples of things we might end up talking about:

• ​Could a vegetarian eat a pig with a clear conscience, if that pig wanted to be eaten?

• ​Is it adultery to engage in a realistic simulation of sex with a person who isn't your partner?

• ​Does a person survive using a teleporter that destroys the body and recreates it with perfect fidelity?

​We'll be meeting in the Solarpunk cafe (library area near the main entrance). Contact me by email/text if you're having trouble finding the location.

​On the Wednesdays when we're not running this event, we'll often be having similar discussions here: https://lu.ma/shortstories