ACX
Lifeboat Games And Backscratchers Clubs
Scott Alexander uses thought experiments to explore how people form coalitions and support networks, relating these to real-world social and political dynamics.
21 min read 3,120 words
A thread through the archive
thought experiments
Essays tagged “thought experiments”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on thought experiments
10 essaysACX
The Gods Only Have Power Because We Believe In Them
Fiction by Scott Alexander
12 min read 1,777 words
ACX
Book Review: The Scout Mindset
Scott Alexander reviews 'The Scout Mindset' by Julia Galef, a book on rationality that emphasizes seeking truth over defending beliefs and addresses both intellectual and emotional aspects of clear thinking.
35 min read 5,421 words
SSC
More Intuition-Building On Non-Empirical Science: Three Stories
Scott Alexander uses three fictional stories to illustrate principles of non-empirical scientific reasoning, ultimately applying them to support the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
5 min read 713 words
SSC
Current Affairs’ “Some Puzzles For Libertarians”, Treated As Writing Prompts For Short Stories
Scott Alexander uses satirical short stories to critique and deconstruct thought experiments challenging libertarian principles, highlighting their flaws and misrepresentations.
35 min read 5,376 words
SSC
The Lizard People Of Alpha Draconis 1 Decided To Build An Ansible
Fiction by Scott Alexander
11 min read 1,655 words
SSC
Extremism In Thought Experiment Is No Vice
Scott Alexander defends the use of extreme thought experiments in moral philosophy, using Phil Robertson's controversial remarks as an example to explain their necessity and purpose.
15 min read 2,226 words
SSC
Cooperation Un-Veiled
Scott Alexander examines contractualism and its limitations using a thought experiment of 100 men with varying strengths, exploring how power dynamics affect moral agreements.
16 min read 2,353 words
SSC
Random Noise Is Our Most Valuable Resource
Scott Alexander argues that creativity comes from mining external sources of 'noise' or 'disruption' rather than just thinking hard.
9 min read 1,389 words
SSC
Don’t Be An Asch-Hole
Scott Alexander explores a thought experiment based on the Asch conformity experiment to examine the strength and flexibility of personal beliefs and societal norms.
9 min read 1,266 words