X-phi and conceptual analysis in political theory

Abstract

What is experimental philosophy, and how might this emerging method contribute to political theory? This article presents experimental philosophy as an alternative or supplement to theorists’ reliance on their own intuitions when addressing normative questions. The alternative consists in gathering the intuitions of ordinary people, for instance through surveys or interviews, and comparing them to those of theorists. Ordinary intuitions and linguistic usage can then be used to illuminate, nuance, challenge, or support the theorists’ intuitions in normative debates. The article exemplifies the x-phi method by drawing on an experiment on discrimination and concludes with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of experimental philosophy.