He made imaginative leaps and discerned great principles through thought experiments rather than by methodical inductions based on experimental data.

NPR: Einstein: Relatively Speaking, a Complicated Life

As with the special theory, his thinking had evolved through thought experiments.

NPR: Einstein: Relatively Speaking, a Complicated Life

The main purpose of thought experiments, though, is to show that a problem is soluble in principle and so to encourage others to try to solve it in practice.

ECONOMIST: The universe, it appears, may not be alone

American pundits might like to try the following two thought experiments, based on real-life EU instruments, and imagine how, with Mexico playing the part of Turkey, they would sell either to American voters.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne: If only it were that easy | The

But since riddles and thought experiments rely on imagining impossible realities, by choosing a riddle in the first place, the Rabbi is paradoxically introducing the young man to the value of magical thinking as well.

FORBES: The Rabbi's Four Leadership Lessons, Part 3

Here's a thought experiment about thought experiments.

WSJ: Best of the Web Today

What, no zany thought experiments?

BBC: How sci-fi moves with the times

Mr. NYHAN: You know, we thought about that and actually - in our second set of experiments, we change the media source.

NPR: Campaign Attack Ads Call 'Facts' Into Question

The one after that for neutrons is thought to be 184, out of reach of today's experiments.

ECONOMIST: Nuclear physics: Magical shell game | The

Experiments on monkeys suggest that the health hazards facing astronauts may be greater than previously thought.

BBC: 'Hidden health risks' of space travel