Random philosophical/psychological/ideological survey

[zabu of nΩd]

I got bored and made this up yesterday/today. Mostly questions I wonder how much time people spend thinking about.

Answer "yes", "no" or "unsure" (but try not to have more than 5 total unsures). If you would answer "probably", go with "yes". If you would answer "probably not", go with "no".

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)?
2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail?
3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with?
4) ... there is a conscious afterlife?
5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved?

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother?
10) ... father?
11) ... closest friend?
12) ... significant other?

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests?
16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public?
17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment?
18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party?
19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements?
20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother?
22) ... father?
23) ... closest friend?
24) ... significant other?

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)
26) spirituality
27) God
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet

 

[Vegard Pompey]

Part 1

1) Don't know much about this at all but my totally uneducated guess is that it's more cultural than anything else so "no".
2) Yes, although there may or may not be randomness on a quantum level making it difficult to make entirely accurate predictions, I do think human behavior is entirely mechanical.
3) Yes
4) No
5) No

6) Yes
7) Yes, anything's possible I guess
8) Only 5. Does that make it a yes or a no?

9) No
10) No
11) Yes
12) N/A

Part 2

13) Yes
14) Yes
15) Yes
16) Unsure
17) Yes
18) Yes
19) Yes
20) Yes

21) No
22) No
23) Unsure
24) N/A

Part 3

25) Yes
26) No
27) No
28) Yes

 

[Zephyrus]

Part 1: Reality

1) Yes, if by most we mean hoi polloi.
2) No. By submitting people and society to calculation then people and society adapt to it and become like it. Getting to the point of being able to calculate sociological phenomena will turn society into robots. "The medium is the message."
3) No, for the same reasons.
4) No, at least not one that can be defined spatio-temporily.
5) Yes, but not the prediction of historical events, but eternal events. This is why poets such as Vergil were also referred to as prophets.

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) No.
10) No.
11) No, unless we count my mentor, in which case Yes.
12) Of the one I've dated, pretty much No.

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) Yes.
14) Yes.
15) Yes.
16) No.
17) No.
18) No.
19) Yes.
20) Unsure.

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother?
22) ... father?
23) ... closest friend?
24) ... significant other?

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?

Literature

 

[Dak]

So much further definition is needed for questions 1-5 I cannot give a yes-no answer.

And lol at Zephs answer for #1. I guess we are all blessed to be in the presence of a superior biological being. The Ubermensch is among us!

 

[Chimaera]

Part 1: Reality

1) Yes and no. I do believe that our genetics have a significant effect on our morals and beliefs but I think the effect of our culture and surroundings largely outweighs it.
2) Yes but it would have to be unfathomably powerful technology. I do think that all people ultimately make the decisions that are most beneficial to them personally.
3) Yes but, again, the technology would have to be unimaginably powerful.
4) No
5) No

6) Yes
7) Yes, but only if these things exist. I don't know an awful lot on the subject but I do think that everything is at least plausible.
8) Yes, but to what degree I'm not sure.

9) No
10) No
11) Unsure
12) N/A

Part 2: Society

13) Yes
14) Yes
15) Yes
16) Never having attended an American school myself, I can only go with what I've heard in the media, but on that basis I'd say yes.
17) Yes
18) Yes
19) Yes
20) Yes

Again, not living in America, I can only base these answers on what I see on TV, the internet or read in books.

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) Yes
22) Yes
23) Yes
24) N/A

Part 3: Self

25) Yes
26) No
27) No
28) Yes, although it depends on your definition of "meeting" someone.

 

[Einherjar86]

I got bored and made this up yesterday/today. Mostly questions I wonder how much time people spend thinking about.

Answer "yes", "no" or "unsure" (but try not to have more than 5 total unsures). If you would answer "probably", go with "yes". If you would answer "probably not", go with "no".

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)?
2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail?
3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with?
4) ... there is a conscious afterlife?
5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved?

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother?
10) ... father?
11) ... closest friend?
12) ... significant other?

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests?
16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public?
17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment?
18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party?
19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements?
20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother?
22) ... father?
23) ... closest friend?
24) ... significant other?

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)
26) spirituality
27) God
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet

Part 1:

1)No
2)Yes (we actually already can do this to an extent...)
3)No
4)No
5)No

6)No
7)Yes
8)Yes

9)No
10)No
11)No
12)No

Part 2:

13)Yes
14)Yes
15)Yes
16)Yes
17)No
18)Yes
19)Yes
20)Yes

21)Yes
22)Yes
23)Yes
24)Yes

Part 3:

Art/literature (including nonfiction), and other people.

 

[King Richard]

I got bored and made this up yesterday/today. Mostly questions I wonder how much time people spend thinking about.

Answer "yes", "no" or "unsure" (but try not to have more than 5 total unsures). If you would answer "probably", go with "yes". If you would answer "probably not", go with "no".

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)? YES
2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail? SINCE YOU THREW "MOST" IN THERE, THE ANSWER IS YES
3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with? NO, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE. IT COULD PREDICT THE TYPE OF PERSON, BUT THE ACTUAL PERSON IS NOT POSSIBLE.
4) ... there is a conscious afterlife? UNSURE - THE ONLY CORRECT ANSWER
5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved? LOL FUCK NO

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)? NO
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)? YES
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to? NO

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother? NO
10) ... father? NO
11) ... closest friend? YES
12) ... significant other? FUCK YOU

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public? YES - DUUUHHHHH
14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public? YES - DUUUHHHHH
15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests? YES - DUUUHHHHH
16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public? YES - DUUUHHHHH
17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment? YES - DUUUHHHHH
18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party? YES - DUUUHHHHH
19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements? YES - DUUUHHHHH
20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to? FUCK AND YES

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother? NO
22) ... father? NO
23) ... closest friend? YES
24) ... significant other? FUCK YOU AGAIN

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature) SURE
26) spirituality NO
27) God NO
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet YA SURE, MAKES SENSE

FADSFADF

 

[zabu of nΩd]

2) Yes, although there may or may not be randomness on a quantum level making it difficult to make entirely accurate predictions, I do think human behavior is entirely mechanical.

Cool, I wasn't sure how much people would think quantum effects change the odds

8) Only 5. Does that make it a yes or a no?

It's a no, I don't think it's important to weight/prioritize the questions.

1) Yes, if by most we mean hoi polloi.

Well I thought you made a pretty good case some months ago in an i.m. chat that this generally applies to educated/professional people as well.

5) Yes, but not the prediction of historical events, but eternal events. This is why poets such as Vergil were also referred to as prophets.

What are eternal events?

So much further definition is needed for questions 1-5 I cannot give a yes-no answer.

What's ambiguous about them?

2) Yes but it would have to be unfathomably powerful technology. I do think that all people ultimately make the decisions that are most beneficial to them personally.
3) Yes but, again, the technology would have to be unimaginably powerful.

Yeah I was afraid the question of technological feasibility would come up

 

[viewerfromnihil]

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)? Values and ethics such as murder and theft being "wrong" and that family should be appreciated to some extent? Yes. Beyond that, no.
2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail? I think this hypothetical was ruined with what was contained in the "if" aspect. Technology as it is in present day has its limits, but your hypothetical set the technological limit to unlimited. So, "if" we had the technology, then perhaps, but your hypothetical didn't really leave any other answer.
3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with? Again, "if" we had the technology to fully analyze what was going on in the minds of individuals that also has the ability to fully take the environment of these individuals into account, then yes.
4) ... there is a conscious afterlife? No.
5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved? No.

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)? 1, perhaps. 4 and 5, yes. 2 and 3, as I said, you set up the question in such a way to where there is no logical answer other than yes.
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)? No, but they are open to interpretation of individuals.
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?
Not really.
Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother? No.
10) ... father?No.
11) ... closest friend? Possibly.
12) ... significant other? N/A

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public? No, they routinely serve the government at the expense of the public
14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public? No, they routinely serve the government at the expense of the public
15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests? Of course, how else can you steal from the public and make the public think that they are "serving their public duty"?
16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public? Yes, but not in an Alex Jones sort of reasoning.
17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment? Not to a political establishment, but to a corporatist/statist establishment.
18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party? Lobbying interests are what make up our laws.
19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements? No, they just put out a product that sells.
20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to? Yes.

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother? No.
22) ... father? Possibly
23) ... closest friend? Probably
24) ... significant other? N/A

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)The music of Schoenberg and Ives expresses emotions to me that I understand very well, but I cannot put this amorphous blob of emotions into words if I tried, so I do not see a practical aspect to it other than using it as a musical influence. Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged was the single largest influence in guiding me intellectually, though now I'm generally busy realizing the holes in her philosophy, so I suppose the influence still drives me.
26) spirituality
27) God
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet Very much so.

 

[divine_torture]

1) Yes
2) No
3) No
4) No
5) Yes (me, ha!)


6) No
7) Yes
8) No


9) No
10) No
11) No
12) I got 99 problems but a bitch used to be one

13) Yes
14) Yes
15) Yes
16) Yes
17) No
18) Yes
19) Yes
20) Yes

..
21) No
22) Yes
23) Yes
24) 99 problems

25) Yes
26) Unsure...
27) No
28) Yes

 

[Dak]

What's ambiguous about them?

Define biology/influence
Prediction or mere pattern recognition? There is a very superficial level of "prediction" that would not be amazing at all, say, if I always went shopping on the same day at the same place and generally bought the same perishables/foodstuffs/etc.
Define love
Define afterlife and consciousness
Define predictions

 

[Zephyrus]

I agree with Dakryn. Too many ambiguities in those questions.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Yeah, i spent a lot of time trying to work out the ambiguities and misleading language i spotted, but i also wanted to keep the survey brief and understandable by the average person, so i took some shortcuts. I guess you guys demonstrated its limitations pretty well, haha.

 

[monoxide_child]

I got bored and made this up yesterday/today. Mostly questions I wonder how much time people spend thinking about.

Answer "yes", "no" or "unsure" (but try not to have more than 5 total unsures). If you would answer "probably", go with "yes". If you would answer "probably not", go with "no".

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)?
2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail?
3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with?
4) ... there is a conscious afterlife?
5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved?

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother?
10) ... father?
11) ... closest friend?
12) ... significant other?

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests?
16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public?
17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment?
18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party?
19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements?
20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother?
22) ... father?
23) ... closest friend?
24) ... significant other?

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)
26) spirituality
27) God
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet

1-8 yes
9-12 no
13-20 yes
21-24 no

as for part 3
art and spirituality are very important
i believe in the universe having a "first cause" but i don't believe in a judeo-christian-type-deity
interacting with people and observing other people's psyches is necessary to be able to understand one's own

 

[King Richard]

1-8 yes
9-12 no
13-20 yes
21-24 no

as for part 3
art and spirituality are very important
i believe in the universe having a "first cause" but i don't believe in a judeo-christian-type-deity
interacting with people and observing other people's psyches is necessary to be able to understand one's own

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[damnromulans]

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) No.
2) No.
3) Yes.
4) No.
5) Yes.

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) No.
7) Yes.
8) No.

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) No
10) Yes
11) Unsure
12) Yes

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) Yes
14) Yes
15) Yes
16) Yes
17) Yes
18) Yes
19) Yes
20) Yes; however the answers should all be obvious

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) No
22) Yes
23) Yes
24) Yes

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) Yes
26) Unsure
27) No
28) Yes

 

[Saparmurat_Niyazov]

I got bored and made this up yesterday/today. Mostly questions I wonder how much time people spend thinking about.

Answer "yes", "no" or "unsure" (but try not to have more than 5 total unsures). If you would answer "probably", go with "yes". If you would answer "probably not", go with "no".

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)?

no

2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail?

no

3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with?

Yes, but only if it actually worked.

4) ... there is a conscious afterlife?

no

5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved?

no

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?

Yes

7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?

Yes

8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Unsure

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother?

no

10) ... father?

unsure

11) ... closest friend?

no

12) ... significant other?

no

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?

Yes

14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?

yes

15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests?

Yes

16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public?

Unsure

17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment?

No

18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party?

Yes

19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements?

Yes

20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

Yes

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother?

no

22) ... father?

no

23) ... closest friend?

Yes

24) ... significant other?

no

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)
26) spirituality
27) God
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet

#25

Answers in bold.

 

[TheInsane]

I feel that these kinds of questions are way more fun when you also explain your answer. So thats what I have done.

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)?

- Yes and no. I believe culture, surrounding and biology all plays big parts. This is apparently quite unusual today when most believe its only the surroundings and culture that plays a role.

2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail?

Yes, we can predict peoples decisions rather accurately. And now Im not speaking of a "what if" scenatio of "if we knew all of this and all of this and cimbined them we would get". Just go to your workplace or school - you already have a good idea how people react even before they do.

3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with?

I dont think so because thats a too specific prediction with to many angles to it.

4) ... there is a conscious afterlife?

No, I dont think so.

5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved?

Since I dont believe the world to be totally pre-destined I'd say no (with the part "without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved" weighing heavily on my answer). Were it not for the "no prior knowledge" I would say yes to an extent.

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?

Yes, the world is what it is. There is probably a definite answer (not saying my answers are proven to be definite though).

7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?

Perhaps, but as far as I know we havent had any experience with this as a factor so we cant know that.

8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

No, one could go by in life just fine without ever thinking of this.

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother? Dont know.
10) ... father? Dont know.
11) ... closest friend? Dont know.
12) ... significant other? Have none.

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?

Im not American so I wouldnt know.

14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?

Im not American so I wouldnt know.

15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests?

Yes, I believe most politicans do this more or less. Its a part of the political game. Weighing interests and then make the decisions appear to be good for the greatest amount of people.

16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public?

Yes, all governments do! Its stupid to think otherwise. History books are the best example. They are written from within a certain paradigm. The postive aspects of history (in relation to the nation) are emphasized and the negative are demonized. Governments shape the education system in a way that makes the nation, or the particular cultural sphere look good. They hardly strive for a totally objective perception of their place.

17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment?

Dont know.

18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party?

Dont know.

19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements?

Yes, see my answer to question 16. Even the tv networks that claim to be objective are steeped in ideology where some values are being accepted and some rejected and this is mirrored in their work in how some are allowed to speak others are not or just in the choice of what to report and in what way it is reported.

20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to?

No, nott for life as such - you can live fine without knowing things like this. I do believe its important to understand your political surroundings though and realize its not always what they claim it is.

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother? Dont know.
22) ... father? Probably not.
23) ... closest friend? Dont know.
24) ... significant other? Not apliciable.

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)

Yes!

26) spirituality

I dont like the terminology but I am mystically inclined. Thats perhaps a yes.

27) God

Again, I dislike religious terminology but God is so much more of a clear picture in comparison to spirituality (which can mean a little of this and a little of that) so I'd say no. The closest thing I would come is my interest and belief in something like the tao, shunyata, primeval chaos and other concepts that are related in traditional religions and philosophies. I would never say that either of these concepts are a God though or even godlike.

28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet.

No, not the people I usually see every day (colleagues). Friends to an extent though.

 

[ASD]

Part 1: Reality

Do you believe that...
1) ... most people's personal values and ethics are heavily influenced by their biology (i.e. their animal drives for survival and reproduction)?
no
2) ... most people's behavior is "mechanical" enough that 99% or more of their decisions could be accurately predicted if we had the technology to analyze our brains and our environment in sufficient detail?
no
3) ... the above technology could similarly predict who someone falls in love with?
no
4) ... there is a conscious afterlife?
yes
5) ... there are (or have been) people in the world with "prophetic" ability to accurately predict future events without prior knowledge of the circumstances or odds involved?
yes

Do you believe most of questions 1-5...
6) ... have definite answers (for all practical purposes, at least)?
no
7) ... have different answers under different contexts of reality (i.e. a possible alternate universe, dimension, or state of being)?
possbily/unsure/yes?
8) ... are generally beneficial to know the answers to?
yes

Would you answer most of questions 1-5 the same way as your...
9) ... mother?
no
10) ... father?
yes
11) ... closest friend?
no
12) ... significant other?
no

Part 2: Society

Do you believe that...
13) ... the Republican Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
yes
14) ... the Democratic Party of the U.S. routinely serves its campaign donors at the expense of the public?
yes
15) ... both Parties routinely use rhetoric or ideology to manipulate the American public against its interests?
yes
16) ... the U.S. government has heavily influenced the American public education system with the intent of establishing an ideological framework to control the public?
no
17) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug (i.e. cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy) illegal because it presented an ideological threat to the political establishment?
no
18) ... the U.S. government has ever made a popular recreational drug illegal because it presented a financial threat to a lobbying interest or political party?
yes
19) ... major American TV news networks often use ideological manipulation on the public, or provide the government with an uncritical channel for manipulative public statements?
yes
20) ... questions 13-19 are generally beneficial to know the answers to?
yes

Would you answer most of questions 13-19 the same way as your...
21) ... mother?
no
22) ... father?
yes
23) ... closest friend?
yes
24) ... significant other?
yes

Part 3: Self

Which of the following do you believe are currently important sources of knowledge or insight in your life?
25) art (or creative literature)
yes
26) spirituality
yes
27) God
yes
28) everyone (or almost everyone) I meet
no