Foundation III—Thought Experiments

Abstract

Shamir explores whether we can identify a relationship of necessity between film and philosophy. If we can articulate such a necessity—if we can establish that philosophy has always needed cinema—that necessity will supply the basis for establishing a firm bond between film and philosophy, and may begin to demonstrate the possibility of creating philosophy via the cinematic medium. The place to begin uncovering this need is within the area of thought experiments, but a perspective beyond what has already been written on the relationship between thought experiments and cinema is required. Shamir gives an overview of some of the key writings on the relationship between thought experiments and cinema (concentrating mainly on Thomas Wartenberg), and then goes on to challenge them.