Thought experiments are provocative. They promise to gain knowledge without empirical work - which is tantamount to absurdity, especially in view of the self-image of modern science.
"What are thought experiments?" is the title of the lecture by Prof. Dr Ulrich Gähde (University of Hamburg) on Thursday, 9 April at 6.15 pm in the library hall of the University of Oldenburg (Haarentor campus, Uhlhornsweg). It marks the start of the "Thought Experiments" series of lectures organised by the "Cognition: Methods, Goals and Concepts" research centre in co-operation with the Institute of Physics.

From Stevin, Galileo and Newton to the present day; research with thought experiments runs like a red thread through the empirical sciences. Internationally renowned experts will take up this tradition in the series of lectures and explore the question of whether the rich conceptual and methodological history of the thought experiment not only harbours illusory hopes, but also meaningful applications. In addition to physics, the focus will be on philosophy and economics.

In the lecture "What are thought experiments", Gähde will give an overview of the heyday of thought experiments, which have often played a central role in times of scientific crisis and upheaval. Thought experiments have also been frequently used as intellectual tools in philosophy since ancient times. Nevertheless, the term "thought experiment" has remained colourful and ambiguous to this day, despite numerous attempts at clarification. In his lecture, Gähde explores the question of what characterises thought experiments and works out the similarities between philosophical and scientific thought experiments.
The series of lectures is part of the "City of Science" programme. The lectures are open to the public and are also aimed at interested laypeople.