thought experiment

noun

Physics. a demonstration or calculation that is based on the postulates of a theory, as relativity, and that demonstrates or clarifies the consequences of the postulates.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of thought experiment¹

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It’s a capitalist “chicken or egg” question that, just half a decade ago, would’ve been difficult to treat as anything other than a thought experiment.

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As those tools become more advanced, it is increasingly obvious how well they reflect the enduring relevance of Nozick's thought experiment, and are revealing of our evolving relationship with the concept of reality.

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This year marks another anniversary: 50 years ago, the philosopher Robert Nozick foresaw the themes of The Matrix – and much more about contemporary life – by proposing an intriguing thought experiment.

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Our intuition reflects the social reality that incest is harmful, no matter what, and removing all harms in a thought experiment doesn't change that.

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The firm has unveiled Ocelot a prototype chip built on "cat qubit" technology - an approach that derives its name from the famous "Schrödinger's cat" thought experiment.

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thought disorder thoughtful

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