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comment by Kafke
Kafke  ·  4042 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Philosophical Health Check

There were a couple questions where I said "well, it's not really either of those." And I just went with the one that was closer to my thoughts/beliefs.

I got "no tensions":

    There are a number of possible explanations for your excellent performance:

    1. You have a very consistent set of beliefs; 2. You've done this test before; 3. You got lucky.

That'd be #1. I have a heavy focus and put a lot of thought into my beliefs. So it makes sense that they are all consistent.

Just for reference, these were the ones that caused me problems:

    People should not journey by car if they can walk, cycle or take a train instead.

I don't care how you travel. Whatever you'd like. Take a car if you want, but I personally don't like driving. So I put "true". Trains and walking are great transportation methods. I don't particularly like biking, and would choose to drive rather than bike. It's just a preference. Travel how you'd like.

    Having made a choice, it is always possible that one might have chosen otherwise

This was another problem question. Taken literally, I might have chosen "true". As my actual beliefs involve multiple configurations of similar universes that could result in choosing differently. But I just assumed that the question asked "do you believe in determinism", and I answered accordingly (yes). You can choose other wise, you have the ability to, and in a similar universe you may have. But in a strict "reset time" sort of way, no.

    On bodily death, a person continues to exist in a non-physical form.

Another problem question. My beliefs involve a type of reincarnation. In the same way numbers continue to exist in a non-physical form, so does consciousness. So does everything. But again, this seems like a typical "do you believe in the after-life with memories" sort of question. But it was too vague to give my exact answer.

    There are no objective truths about matters of fact; "truth" is always relative to particular cultures and individuals.

This one was really weird. Yes, there are objective truths. Yes, different cultures will perceive those truths differently or even make up their own. So would that be agree or disagree? I chalked the question up to be "there are no objective truths". So I answered "disagree".

    To allow an innocent child to suffer needlessly when one could easily prevent it is morally reprehensible.

Define suffer. Not giving them an ice-cream cone when you can afford it? Relieving the kid of constant harm? Taking them out of an abusive family and adopting them? Seriously, the question is too vague.