On poor and not so poor thought experiments. A reply to Daniel Cohnitz

Peijnenburg, Jeanne; Atkinson, Doug

doi:10.1007/s10838-007-9038-5

Cited by 2 publications

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“…The dismissive attitude toward theology most likely explains the “fear that the prevailing outré thought experiments pull analytic philosophy in the direction of theology” (Peijnenburg and Atkinson 2007, 318). Such fear probably exists because theology is perceived as lacking so many of the features of science that elicit widespread approval and praise—most notably, the presence of a sound methodology.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Physics and Theology: John Polkinghorne on Thought Experiments

Fehige

2012

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Thought experimentation is part of accepted scientific practice, and this makes it surprising that philosophers of science did not seriously engage with it for a very long time. The situation changed in the 1990s, resulting in a highly intriguing debate over thought experiments. Initially, the discussion focused mostly on thought experiments in physics, philosophy, and mathematics. Other disciplines have since become the subject of interest. Yet, nothing substantial has been said about the role of thought experiments in nonphilosophical theology. This paper discusses the role of thought experiments in Christian theology in comparison to their role in quantum physics, as mentioned by John Polkinghorne in Quantum Physics and Theology. We first look briefly at the history of the inquiry into thought experiments and then at Polkinghorne's remarks about the role of thought experimentation in quantum physics and Christian eschatology. To determine the actual importance of thought experiments in Christian theology a number of new examples are introduced in a third step. In the light of these examples, in a fourth step, we address the question of what it is that explains the cognitive efficacy of thought experiments in quantum physics and Christian theology.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%