But there's something fascinating happening beneath the surface of your imagination...a hidden structure that shapes which possibilities we actually consider.

This mental architecture determines how we interpret the world (what we consider meaningful) and what we dismiss outright.

Let's explore this with a simple example: dissolving sugar in water.

The Illusion of Infinite Possibility
You might think this is straightforward...sugar dissolves in water, right?

But what if I instantly freeze the water as you add the sugar? Or what if I spray the sugar with plastic coating first and thus the sugar doesn’t dissolve?

While these scenarios are technically possible, your mind likely didn't consider them when thinking about sugar dissolving in water.

Why?

Because your brain naturally filters possibilities through what cognitive scientists call "structure of possibility"…a framework that helps you focus on scenarios that are both relevant and probable.

These frameworks (governed by relevance, probability, and participation) typically operate invisibly in our daily lives, but we can make these frameworks explicit...examining the constraints and assumptions that guide our decisions and understanding of the world.

So how do we do it?

Windows into Possibility
Like a microscope revealing invisible structures, thought experiments can help us see the implicit frameworks that shape what we consider plausible.

They invite us to pause and critically evaluate why certain courses of action appear more plausible or morally relevant than others. They expose how deeply our structures of possibility are entangled with our values (priorities) and the dynamics of the situation itself.

In doing so, they encourage a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world, enabling us to restructure our frameworks of possibility to include greater nuance, flexibility, and insight.

Consider the following scenario:

The Orphanage Dilemma
A volunteer at an orphanage discovers through a coworker that some donations are being used for "administrative costs" instead of directly benefiting the children. On the surface, the choice might seem simple...report the misuse of funds. But within this situation lies a complex web of possibilities and consequences.

The volunteer could:

• Report the situation immediately to authorities

• Discuss the matter internally with management

• Investigate the necessity of these administrative costs

• Remain silent to protect the orphanage's reputation

But the real complexity emerges when we consider the ripple effects:

• Reporting might ensure transparency but could discourage future donors

• The administrative costs might be essential for the orphanage's operation

• The coworker could be lying, etc.

Each action creates its own cascade of consequences...some predictable, others not.
So there's no simple algorithm to solve this dilemma.

This situation might initially appear as a simple choice between transparency and harm.
But engaging in this scenario reveals a much richer web of possibilities...inviting you to refine how you navigate competing goods like truth, trust, and long-term well-being.

Ultimately thought experiments take you back into participation in the world. They compel you to imaginatively and emotionally enter into a scenario, simulating the participatory act of engaging with real-world dilemmas (including the ambiguity and stakes of the moment).

Thought experiments create a safe (yet vivid) space for us to practice this participatory knowing...improving our ability to respond wisely and adaptively in real-life situations.

Back to reality
The next time you face a decision, remember that your mind isn't just randomly generating options...it's drawing upon sophisticated structures of possibility shaped by relevance (probability) and your participation in the world.

By understanding these structures, you can work with them more effectively.