Exercising our brains — Introduction to Issue 7: Thought Experiments

What if our perceptions were mere illusions, and reality was a construct of our minds? Can a simple hypothetical scenario unveil profound truths about the nature of existence?

Some of history’s greatest thinkers have developed today’s most well-known thought experiments. You might have heard of the Trolley Problem (to pull or not to pull the lever?) and the Ship of Theseus (How much change does something undergo before it’s something else?). Thought experiments can be found at every corner of philosophy, ranging from the mind-body problem (Brain in a Vat) to personhood (Searle’s Chinese Room) and everything else in between. These puzzling ideas shed some light on the complex nature of our morality, our belief systems, and our understanding of the natural and digital world.

We invite you to explore some of these thought experiments as seen through the eyes of our talented writers. We hope their unique perspectives will enrich your journey toward a deeper understanding of the world around us.