Thought Experiments in Science and Philosophy

by Tamara Horowitz (Editor), Gerald J. Massey (Editor)

Despite their centrality and importance to both science and philosophy, relatively little has been written about thought experiments. This volume brings together a series of extremely interesting studies of the history, mechanics, and applications of this important intellectual resource. A distinguished list of philosophers and scientists consider the role of thought experiments in their various disciplines, and argue that an examination of thought experimentation goes to the heart of both science and philosophy.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 1991

About the author

Tamara Horowitz, Ph.D. (Philosophy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1976; B.A., University of Chicago, 1971), was briefly Philosophy Department Chair at the University of Pittsburgh—the first woman to hold that post—prior to her death from a brain tumor the semester following her appointment. Previously she was Associate Professor in philosophy and women's studies. She earlier held assistant professorships in philosophy at Vassar College, New York University, and State University of New York at Purchase. Much of her work focused on the epistemology of a priori knowledge or with feminist philosophy.

Horozitz was the first woman to receive a doctorate from MIT's Department of Linguistics and Philosophy.