A thought experiment or Gedankenexperiment (from German) considers some hypothesis, theory, or principle for the purpose of thinking through its consequences. Given the structure of the experiment, it may or may not be possible to actually perform it, and, in the case that it is possible for it to be performed, there need be no intention of any kind to actually perform the experiment in question. The common goal of a thought experiment is to explore the potential consequences of the principle in question.

Famous examples of thought experiments include Schrödinger's cat, illustrating quantum indeterminacy through the manipulation of a perfectly sealed environment and a tiny bit of radioactive substance, and Maxwell's demon, which attempts to demonstrate the ability of a hypothetical finite being to violate the second law of thermodynamics. Wikipedia, Thought Experiment

See Also

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11.10 - Matter is the Recording of Sequential and Successive Steps of Polarized Thought
14.20 - Dominant is Light of Mind or Thought or Idea
14.21 - Russell on Thought and Idea
15.22 - Water is Sensitive to Thought
16.05.05 - Electricity and Thought are Intimately Related
17.18 - Keelys Gravity Experiments
18.06 - Thought as a thing - Cayce
18.07 - Thought as a thing - Hubbard
Atomic Cluster Experimental Apparatus
Divine Thought
Experimental Measurements of Ion Emission
Experiments Described on His New Sympathetic Attraction
Figure 14.06 - Mind and Electric Thought Rings of Motion are Closely Connected
Figure 15.06 - Thought Rings of Motion
Figure 19.15 - Keelys Levitation Experiment
Figure 19.16 - Keelys Levitation Experiment Showing Three Glass Jars with Weights
Michelson-Morley Ether Experiment
Thought
Thought Force
thought form
Thought-reading
Thoughtsphere