PhiQ is a program of World Best Practices Magazine
http://bestpracticesmagazine.org/
PhiQ ©2009 FershtLab
Your philosophical quotient
PhiQ (philosophical quotient) is abstract self-estimated measurement of philosophical ability through 10 simple thought experiments on philosophy.
1.Let’s imagine that you should to judge ideas of famous philosophers:
1.1.“Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open”, said Ludwig Wittgenstein.
1.2. “Philosophy is the stray camel of the faithful; take hold of it wherever ye come across it”, said Muhammad.
1.3.“Philosophy is to the real world as masturbation is to sex”, said Karl Marx.
1.4.”Science is like sex: it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it”, said Richard Feynman.
Estimate only one definition that you are agree (highest-10 points): 1.1.- , 1.2.- , 1.3.- , 1.4.-
2.What if you met Pythagoras who said you?
“Some are slaves of ambition or money, but others are interested in understanding life itself. These give themselves the name of philosophers (lovers of wisdom), and they value the contemplation and discovery of nature beyond all other pursuits.
Are you one of them? Tell me the truth, did you always was philosopher?”
Estimate your answer: Yes - 10 points, No – 0 points, Sometimes – 5 points.
3.What if Timothy Leary came on your lecture and told you:
“In the information age, you don't teach philosophy as they did after feudalism. You perform it. If Aristotle were alive today he'd have a talk show. Do you agree?”
Estimate your answer: Yes - 10 points, No – 0 points, – 5 points.
4. Suppose you have philosophical dispute:
“Truth is the object of philosophy, but not always of philosophers”, said John Churton Collins.
Estimate your answer: Agree - 10 points, Disagree – 0 points, I have another point of view – 5 points.
5. Try to imagine next situation:
“Philosophy is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black hat which isn't there”, said Lord Bowen.
Estimate your answer: Agree - 10 points, Disagree – 0 points, I have another point of view – 5 points.
6.What if you met Socrates and he told you: "I know only one real thing that I know nothing. What about you?”
Estimate your answer: Agree - 10 points, Disagree – 0 points, I have another point of view – 5 points.
7. Jim Rohn said you: “It is your philosophical set of the sail that determines the course of your life. To change your current direction, you have to change your philosophy not your circumstances”.
What do you answer him?
Estimate your answer: Agree - 10 points, Disagree – 0 points, I have another point of view – 5 points.
8. What if you discuss philosophy with T.Eliot.
“Every experience is a paradox in that it means to be absolute, and yet is relative; in that it somehow always goes beyond itself and yet never escapes itself”, said T.Eliot.
Estimate your answer: Agree - 10 points, Disagree – 0 points, I have another point of view – 5 points.
9. Imagine that you discuss nature of philosophy with famous scientists.
“Really, the fundamental, ultimate mystery -- the only thing you need to know to understand the deepest metaphysical secrets -- is this: that for every outside there is an inside and for every inside there is an outside, and although they are different, they go together“, said Alan Watts.
Estimate your answer: Agree - 10 points, Disagree – 0 points, I have another point of view – 5 points.
10. Try to imagine situation that you are philosophical zombie and should judge your own answers. What PhiQ you award yourself if highest -10 points?
For 0 you receive 10 points, for 5 you receive – 2 points, for 10 your receive 0 points.
Calculate your PhiQ:
Add all received points and divide to 10.
Average PhiQ is 5, highest is 10.
You can receive Certificate of your PhiQ writing to fershtlab@gmail.com
©2009 FershtLab