The Importance of Thought Experiments in Science

A lot of times the premises of arguments that philosophers give is by inviting readers, listeners to think about an imaginary case. So a classic example that many people will have heard about by now is the trolley problem. We can ask, what do we learn from thinking about that kind of case? Do we learn anything about whether killing to save a greater number is ever permissible? Could ask all sorts of questions about that type of case.