‖ Gedankenexperiment Philos.
(gəˈdaŋkənɛkspɛrɪˌmɛnt)
[G., f. gedanke thought + experiment experiment.]
An experiment carried out only in imagination or thought; an appeal to imagined experience; a thought-experiment.
| 1958 N. R. Hanson Patterns of Discovery vi. 137 The first presentation involves a gedankenexperiment; it supposes a super-microscope more powerful than any electronic microscope. 1966 Amer. Philos. Q. III. 306/2 The child in his [sc. Ayer's] Gedankenexperiment is taught the use of psychological concepts by a recorded voice. |