Description
Book SynopsisThought experiments do not require a laboratory and need no funding, yet they are responsible for several major intellectual revolutions throughout history. Given their importance, and the way that they immediately engage students, it is surprising that thought experiments are not used more frequently as teaching tools in the academic disciplines. Thought Experiments: History and Applications forEducation explains how thought experiments developed and shows how thought experiments can be applied to subjects as varied as theoretical physics, mathematics, politics, personal identity, and ethics. Teachers at all levels and in all disciplines will discover how to use thought experiments effectively in their own classrooms.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Chapter One. Famous Thought Experiments
Chapter Two. Time Travel
Chapter Three. Mathematics, Infinity, and the Big Bang
Chapter Four. Politics
Chapter Five.Risk, Odds, Bravery, and Ethics
Chapter Six. Identity
Chapter Seven. Ethics
Chapter 8. Meta-Mathematics and Meta-Language
Conclusion
References
