forum for week of 14 Nov: when we don't want knowledge

One perceives, thinks and uses conjecture both in the ‘real’ world and in fictional worlds. I would argue that when one uses these epistemic methods in the real world they are aiming at knowledge, and when they use them in a possible fictional world they are aiming at something different. Both art (i.e. paintings, novels), and games (i.e. video games), as already mentioned, offer examples of outlets to a sort of fictional dimension where there is something to be gained however it is not knowledge (being real world knowledge). Another example is that of theoretical physics. Physicists will use a variety of close possible worlds to help them eventually make observations about the real world, and as a result (hopefully) gain real world knowledge. In the intermediate stage physicists are using a fictional world very close to the real world and therefore aiming at something other than real world knowledge.