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Radical Questions

This lesson is a collection of radical questions to give your creative mind some exercise. Just read through and pick a couple that interest you. Work with them a bit.

Humor

Did humor exist before consciousness? Why are things and thoughts funny? Could there be a computer program that created jokes, and why isn't there one yet? Do any animals have a sense of humor?

Physics

What if the speed of light was slower? What if it was sixty miles-per-hour? Would you catch up to the light from your headlights when you drove 70 mph (and then be unable to see ahead)? Of course, Einstein's theories show that going faster than the speed of light is impossible, so what would happen as you approached it? What if two cars drove past one another at 40 mph each - wouldn't they be going faster than the speed of light relative to one another?

Moral Judgment

Is it useful to judge people in moral terms? What are the presumed reasons for doing so, and does it actually accomplish those purposes? We can note whether a person normally lies or tells the truth, or is dangerous or peaceful, and we can protect ourselves from criminals without judging them, so what additional advantage is there from labeling them as good or evil?

Personal

If there was no risk at all, what would you do or try? What is it that keeps you from doing it now? If you can name the obstacles, are they really preventing you from attaining some goal, or is it your own mind that is getting in the way?

Business

Is competition a necessary assumption or model in business? Can a business do well by simply trying to give customers what they need and want, without reference to what others are doing? Would there be any incentives for lower or even reasonable prices - or better quality - without some direct competition in an industry? What other models are possible?

Global Warming

What if the evidence suggests that we cannot reverse global warming? Should we instead concentrate on adapting our lives and industries to the new environment? Could we look for all the possible good effects and take advantage of them?

Debate

Is it useful to express opinions in an argumentative way? Since ego makes one want to "own" and defend a belief regardless of merit, and so works against better understanding, is there a better way than to debate and argue? Is there a way to get the forces of one's ego working towards finding the truth in an argument, rather than defending a position?

Child Support

Is it fair to make a man pay for a child he didn't choose to have? What if a woman chose to not use her birth control pills without telling the man? Does the biological connection make him obligated to support the child regardless of the circumstances of conception?

More Radical Questions

- Are political/geographical lines (countries, states, etc.) necessary?

- Should we call studies like meteorology and economics "sciences" when they have little predictive capacity?

- When we argue using the word "obviously," and phrases like "clearly you can see," is there any purpose other than intimidation?

- If we discover that the rich, poor, black or white are happier, smarter, more honest, or other similar politically sensitive facts, should we withhold the truth to prevent prejudice?

- Should we routinely violate unjust laws as a matter of principle?

- What true statements can you make for which you cannot imagine an exception?

- Barter gave way to money-based societies, so what might be the next step if money is someday no longer used?

- If an animal learns to speak to us clearly and demonstrates the use of reason, should we recognize and protect its rights as equal to our own?"

- If you can think about and observe your own mind, you have effectively divided your consciousness, so how many ways can it be divided, and what purposes might doing so serve?

- If part of you can judge yourself and so make you feel guilty, why can't that part prevent the actions that caused the guilt?

Until next time,

Steve

www.RadicalNewThoughts.com