A trotline

by **David** Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:48 am

Below questions were taken from: https://conversationstartersworld.com/philosophical-questions/ Comment on the ones that grab ya.

What harsh truths do you prefer to ignore?
None. Truths don't scare me.
Is free will real or just an illusion?
Both.
Is there a meaning to life? If so, what is it?
Life itself.
Is the meaning of life the same for animals and humans?
In the end, yes.
Where is the line between art and not art?
The eye of the observer.
If someone you loved was killed in front of you, but someone created a copy of them that was perfect right down to the atomic level, would they be the same person and would you love them just as much?
No. The copy would lack memories.
Does fate exist? If so, do we have free will?
Probably. Irrelevant.
What does it mean to live a good life?
To enjoy what you have.
Why do we dream?
The mind doesn't require sleep like the body.
Is it possible to live a normal life and not ever tell a lie?
It is impossible to not lie.
Does a person’s name influence the person they become?
Yes.
What should be the goal of humanity?
Keep your goals about yourself and leave me out of it.
If you could become immortal on the condition you would NEVER be able to die or kill yourself, would you choose immortality?
No.
How will humans as a species go extinct?
Asking stupid questions.
What actions in your life will have the longest reaching consequences? How long will those effects be felt?
Education level and having children.
How long will you be remembered after you die?
Approximately 3 years.
If a child somehow survived and grew up in the wilderness without any human contact, how “human” would they be without the influence of society and culture?
It has happened, and she wasn't human at all.
Where does your self-worth come from?
Evidence.
How would humanity change if all humans’ life expectancy was significantly increased (let’s say to around 500 years)?
It wouldn't.
Where do you find meaning in your life?
My family and friends.
What do you think would be humanity’s reaction to the discovery of extraterrestrial life?
Flip the F out.
Will religion ever become obsolete?
Has it not?
If you could teach everyone in the world one concept, what concept would have the biggest positive impact on humanity?
The golden rule.
Is suffering a necessary part of the human condition? What would people who never suffered be like?
Sentience means having the ability to feel pain, so yes. Snowflakes.
Does hardship make a person stronger? If so, under what conditions and at what point is it too much hardship? If not, what makes a person stronger?
Objection your honor. Leading the witness.
Would things get better or worse if humans focused on what was going well rather than what’s going wrong?
What has social engineering solved yet? Still you persist.
What benefits does art provide society? Does art hurt society in any way?
It is a form of wealth, a luxary, that only strong societies afford. Yes, it loses touch with reality and becomes cancerous. See Hollywood for example.
How likely do you think it will be that humans will last another 1,000 years without killing ourselves off?
Very.
What do you attribute the biggest successes in your life to? How about your largest failures?
Stubbornness. Stubbornness.
If freedom is simply being able to do what you want, are animals freer than humans?
If then, then yes.
Would you want to know you are going to die before hand or die suddenly without warning?
Surprise me.
Is humanity headed in the right or wrong direction?
Headed is an assumption.
Does the study of philosophy ever lead to answers or simply more questions?
Yes.
What is the best way for a person to attain happiness?
Gratitude
If you had to guess, what do you think would be the most likely way you’ll die?
A big, red, acme rocket
Is it better for a person to have a broad knowledge base or a deep knowledge base?
We need both types, mr. social engineer.
What is the best way to train people to see the gradients in the world around them instead of just a simplistic “this is good, that is wrong” view of the world?
Travel.
Is intelligence or wisdom more useful?
Do you mean short or long term?
Which of your beliefs are justified and which ones aren’t?
All. None.
What do you contribute back to society?
This is not a philosophical question.
What are you going to do with the one life you have?
Be me.
Is it more important to help yourself, help your family, help your society, or help the world?
Self. Family. Friends. Etc.
What life-altering things should every human ideally get to experience at least once in their lives?
Two years of military service.
What is the most important goal every person should have?
What means the most to them.
Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond?
Big fish in big pond.
What are you capable of achieving?
Anything I want.
By what standards do you judge yourself?
My standards.
Can human nature be changed? Should it be changed?
No. No.
How replaceable are you?
In what context?
Why don’t we as a species take more advantage of the fact that we have almost infinite knowledge available to us?
We don't have infinite knowledge.
What two questions would you ask to get the most information about who a person truly is?
What do you want? What are you doing about getting it?
Some people believe that if life has no purpose, then there is no reason for living. While others think that if life has no purpose, that frees a person to find/create and follow their own personal purpose. Which is a more valid point of view or are they both equally valid?
The second. Nihilism is futile.
Does absolute power corrupt absolutely?
No.
Why do we judge ourselves by our intentions but judge others by their actions?
We're full of shit.
What activities cause you to feel like you are living life to the fullest?
Playing with my children. Making something.
Does knowledge have intrinsic value or does it need to have a practical use to have value?
It needs a practical use to have value.
What would you genetically change about humans to make them a better species?
Better is your assumption.
How important is play in living a healthy and fulfilling life?
Very.
Where do you think is the most worthwhile place to find meaning in life? Work, family, hobby, religion, philosophy, helping others, all the small miracles, or something else entirely?
Depends on the individual.
What is the biggest waste of human potential?
Social engineering.
Is a life that focuses on avoiding pain and seeking out pleasure a good and worthwhile life? Why or why not?
The aesthetic guru is not revered in western culture.
Does jealously have value in driving humans to improve themselves or is it a purely negative emotion?
Sure it has value.

The list goes on, but I have learned to despise the person who assembled these questions.