Pathos is something I find interesting; I'd consider the use of
   Thought Experiments, which are very heavily used in many of the
   Sciences (although oddly enough, seemingly absent from
   Chemistry, or so I've read) - as Pathos. But there a level of
   Pathos that you're describing that, even still, seems to go
   beyond imagination of experience and into actual experience.
   [not that imagination isn't actual.. but there is a palpable
   "something" that happens when you are carried along, not
   logically, not emotionally or imagination, not impressed by
   power... but something beyond.. or perhaps it is more of a facet
   of Pathos that's seems... different. Doing something for its own
   sake; it is play at its purest form, imo. I tend to believe that
   all knowledge can be simplified to play of various sorts.* The
   games are extended and spread out... and by-yourself-play of
   tossing a ball up and catching it yourself, or tossing ideas
   around your own head are the same.* The shape of the ball may
   change; but the hand-that-catches is.. perhaps the Substantia
   nigra :P