Thought experiments and experimental ethics

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Experimental ethicists explore traditional ethical issues by non-traditional means, ie methods of empirical sciences. Studies in this area have made extensive use of philosophical thought experiments such as the well-known trolley problem. However, little has been said about the specific function of these thought experiments within experimental ethics. In this paper, we try to fill that gap. We begin with a description of the function of ethical thought experiments and show that these thought experiments should be classified not only according to their function but also according to their scope. Based on this, we highlight several ways in which the use of thought experiments in experimental ethics may be philosophically relevant. We conclude by arguing that experimental philosophy currently focuses only on a small subcategory of ethical thought experiments and suggest expanding our research program.