It is about time that I embarrass my future self again. Obviously I do not know better than to do otherwise. Yet.

Every few years, I get a feeling that I have always been wrong, and become embarrassed for what I have stood for. I would wonder, "Why did I say so much, or do so much, without further thinking?" Then proceed on to expound on my new-found world view. Revision of my world view would often coincide with a period of emo-ness. (As of yet, I am unclear of the casual relation.)

Nevertheless, I am still tempted to write down my beliefs, just to make some sense my thoughts.

In J1, I have formulated a philosophy that I still hold today. The self is a distinct and separate being at every point in time, and it makes sense for us to treat our past and future selves as other people whom you happen to understand quite well, but not completely.

Right before KI A levels, I came up with the idea that all our beliefs are based on transcendental arguments, combined with faith in one of the three ontologies (materialism, dualism, idealism) that form a coherent set of self-reinforcing beliefs.

During NS, I had some time to read a few books on psychology. Here are the few things I found particularly disturbing:

-People with very different brains(due to damage or otherwise) view the world very differently.
-People can be happy or unhappy despite their circumstances, and they may not be in control.
-People are born with different temperaments which are difficult to change.
-People may not be conscious of the way they make decisions.
-People act largely based on how they feel. How they feel is based on temperament and circumstances. While there may exist options that are more expedient, they are not equally accessible to people of different temperaments.
-People don't know what makes them happy, especially in the future.

Ok, they all seem rather obvious. They still leave some questions open.

-Can we ever justify our actions? Are principles merely personal preferences?
-To what extent should we pursue happiness?
-If altruism is a biological trait, does that mean that some people are inclined to be more altruistic than others? If good deeds do not make one feel good, is one right in not doing them?
-To what extent can, and should we tamper with our own psyche? Is unconscious influence on others a form of tact or is it outright manipulation?


A wizard has turned you into a whale.

Is this awesome? Y/N