What does thought experiment mean?

Definitions for thought experiment
thought exper·i·ment

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word thought experiment.

Wiktionary

  1. thought experimentnoun

    an attempt to solve a problem using the power of human imagination

  2. Etymology: A calque of Gedankenexperiment.

Wikipedia

  1. Thought experiment

    A thought experiment is a hypothetical situation in which a hypothesis, theory, or principle is laid out for the purpose of thinking through its consequences.

Wikidata

  1. Thought experiment

    A thought experiment or Gedankenexperiment considers some hypothesis, theory, or principle for the purpose of thinking through its consequences. Given the structure of the experiment, it may or may not be possible to actually perform it, and, in the case that it is possible for it to be performed, there need be no intention of any kind to actually perform the experiment in question. The common goal of a thought experiment is to explore the potential consequences of the principle in question. Famous examples of thought experiments include Schrödinger's cat, illustrating quantum indeterminacy through the manipulation of a perfectly sealed environment and a tiny bit of radioactive substance, and Maxwell's demon, which attempts to demonstrate the ability of a hypothetical finite being to violate the second law of thermodynamics.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of thought experiment in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of thought experiment in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of thought experiment in a Sentence

  1. Marco Rubio:

    It's not just a thought experiment, it's actually been proposed.

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"thought experiment." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/thought+experiment>.

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