thought experiment

noun

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thought experiment¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“It started just as a thought experiment to see if I could do it,” she says of the decision to write the “Good Daughter” script before the book was optioned for TV.

From Los Angeles Times

If anyone could convincingly realize this thought experiment, it’s Noah Hawley.

From Salon

Although most who semi-seriously engaged with this thought experiment recognized it to be farce — Lord, we hope they did – others treated the fantasy wrestling match seriously.

From Salon

Here is a thought experiment: Tell me a year when hundreds of 1000s of people took the streets in peaceful protest, when elected officials obstructed justice when it came to racism, when the President of the United States had to take to the airwaves to talk about the importance of voting rights not just for Black people, but all people in the country, when people who fought for racial justice had to worry about their physical safety and surveillance.

From Salon

Instead, Haul’s disclosure was going to be seen by consumers whose annual spend on the site might be closer to $300, and whose economic security is, to people like Trump and corporations like Amazon, an abstract thought experiment.

From Salon