Final answer:
The incorrect description of a thought experiment is that it is a scientific experiment conducted in a laboratory setting. Thought experiments are mental exercises used in philosophy to test theories and concepts without physical experimentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The response that does not correctly describe what a thought experiment is: A thought experiment is a scientific experiment conducted in a laboratory setting. Thought experiments are imaginative scenarios created to explore and analyze philosophical theories or concepts without physical experimentation. They are used to discern the potential consequences of a hypothetical situation, isolate features of a concept, or examine complex ideas in a clear and simplified manner for better understanding. Notably, thought experiments have been employed by philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, and even in the realm of physics by Albert Einstein to test the implications of relativity.
As opposed to experimental philosophy, which involves empirical methods that sometimes resemble psychological studies, and unlike scientific experiments that require controlled laboratory conditions, thought experiments are conducted entirely within the realm of the mind. They are philosophical tools that often help in understanding abstract concepts or clarifying moral theories without any direct physical testing.