We Can Test the Experience Machine: Reply to Smith
Abstract
In his provocative “Can We Test the Experience Machine?”, Basil Smith
argues that we should recognise a limit on experimental philosophy. In this
response to Smith, I will argue that his limit does not prevent us from
usefully testing most experience machine thought experiments, including De
Brigard‟s inverted experience machine scenarios. I will also argue that, if
taken seriously, Smith‟s limit has far-reaching consequences for traditional
(non-experimental) philosophy as well.