Psychosophy Questionaire RadDoubt

1

•    Describe a time when you used your own reasoning and analytical skills to learn a new idea or system.
I do that with the enneagram a lot as an example, especially since not all resources are necessarily good for understanding each type individually. I do a lot of comparing/contrasting of different ideas, sources, and perspectives and use that to build a system of understanding that I can work through based on required specificity and fine tune.
•    How do you know the method(s) you chose were ideal?
Creating a system that is both workable/flexible and accurate requires aversion of strong bias from either the self or others.  Surveying a wide array of perspectives (including my own) provides a large dataset of information to work with and organize based on relevance, overlap, and sense (ie. could this work within set rules or mechanics?).  Utilizing external perspective adds realism to the system and works to prevent external bias.  Using my own analysis helps sort out excess external bias and misinformation as well as allows for creation of the system itself and logical leaps/conclusions/abstraction of new rules and mechanisms for function.
•    If you don't know, what hurdles do you think keep you from understanding this knowledge?
I guess I don’t know if this method is ideal in general for creating an accurate system in general, as ideal sort of implies being “the best way of going about things” and I just know this method works for me.  I’d imagine this would not be ideal for everyone as it requires a lot of research and time as well as ability to analyze and reason in this fashion.  In general, this method tends to lead to lack of specificity of the system and is probably somewhat inefficient, but specifically works with my own strengths so is “ideal” for me.
•    Can you imagine how your insight has aided in further research related to the idea or system?
It has certainly increased conversation about the system.  My ideas have seemed to help others understand this information in a different way and has opened standard descriptions to possibilities based on individual type mechanics and possible manifestations.
━━━━━

2

•    Describe a time when you exchanged reasoning and analysis with another person to learn a new idea or system.
I’m skipping this, idk if I have a recent or relevant example I can explain.
•    How do you respond to someone who criticizes your knowledge while asserting their own?
It depends on what merit what they’re saying has.  I’m no robot, my understanding of things is nowhere near perfection (but I’m no idiot either).  So long as they are able to explain where my logic may be flawed and provide their perspective in a way that is understandable/makes sense, I am willing to hear them out, even if I think they’re incorrect.  There are few things I will get stubborn on in this domain because in the past I was prone towards “delusion.”
•    How do you decide which sources of information are best?
By compiling many different perspectives and sources and cross checking them with one another to see where they overlap, what makes sense, and what doesn’t.  Making a large enough database allows data to be generalized and comparison between like ideas and connected concepts in a way that allows inconsistent or incorrect data to be expelled. Sources that directly contradict that pool of knowledge, but also seem to either come from a biased perspective or are logically/mechanically inconsistent are not, those that are mechanically consistent with that knowledge pool are kept.  Others' perspectives are important in maintaining error from internal bias or lack of resources.

•    Do you believe that most people have better reasoning skills than you?
Not necessarily, though this is not really something I think about ever.

•    Why or why not?
I don’t really think I am superior or inferior in terms of ability to reason things (I am either average or a bit above average).  I am better at reasoning through and understanding some things than others and the reverse also applies.

━━━━━

3

•    Talk about a time you set and achieved a goal.
Literally my whole life has been based on achieving goals, or at least setting them?  I guess my major life goal ties into becoming a research scientist, and I’ve had this goal since I was around 11/12-ish (and am still working towards it of course).  Initial plans were general to allow for changes in perspective, as it is generally expected that interests and resources change with age.  They were filtered down and more specified as time persisted.  The goal was set into small chunks that I could achieve one by one in order to reach the end-post (ie. a) maintain good grades, get no lower than X amount here, b) figure out the area of research you want to pursue, acquire these resources because you’ll need them later, etc).   A lot more thinking is involved than actual doing (ie. like strategizing, breaking down the goal and thinking about aspects of it), which should be noted.

•    How much energy did you put into the entire process?
 A good chunk of time energy was put into this, especially since it feeds into my larger plans to a heavy degree.  Of course though, energy is distributed into different aspects of a larger goal and desired achievements depending on my energy levels, how necessary each facet is, and how much energy is consumed with each task (which relates to my own personal energy, strengths, etc).
•    How does this achievement enhance or demonstrate your willpower?
I’m not really sure?  I guess it shows how singular and long range my focus can be.  I rarely “desire” things, but when I do they consume me and become my life.  With every step towards the goal, I grow more empowered I guess (except recently because my major life goal was dismantled).
•    Did you feel inspired by the challenge to complete the goal?
I’m not so sure I was inspired as much as I was compelled.  Like there was literally nothing else I was going to do.  Sure it was variable and the goal was flexible, but deviation was never something I questioned in depth.
•    Did this accomplishment display a part of your identity?
My goals and achievements often become my identity, so yeah.
•    If so, what is it?
Probably my insesid need to need something to work towards in order to motivate myself.
•    If that is difficult to answer, why do you think that is?
It’s difficult to answer because having goals and direction is like breathing to me.  It’s very unconscious.
━━━━━

4

•    Talk about a time you set and achieved a goal with another person.
In physics we had the task of creating a Rube Goldberg machine in order to achieve extra credit in class.  Me and a friend worked together because both of our grades were kind of trash in that class and we were only really friends with one another in that class.  We entered a “competition” with the rest of the class to win extra credit and lunch.
•    How much energy did you put into the process of collaborating with them?
More than I wanted to, purely because I find it exhausting to work with others, even friends, especially when their visions don’t align with mine.  Eventually none because I shut down and let them take the reins a bit (because they happened to be more of a talented engineer than myself and had designs made up that met my expectations for quality).
•    Did you gain inspiration by the collective effort to complete the goal?
No, quite literally inspiration was drained because the effort was collected.  I was inspired to make sure as equal as possible weight was carried for the project though so that I could feel worthy of bettering my grade from a win on the project.
•    How do you respond to someone asserting their opinion on what you should be responsible for?
It depends.  I have no issue with authority most of the time and don’t mind being given direction, especially if I don’t have it already.  However if I already have direction or am invested in achieving a goal/completing a task, I struggle in any position where I am not directly in charge (though I’ve worked on being more diplomatic/taking a more passive role).  So long as what they say aligns with my idea of quality and takes into account my own strengths/resources, it’s fine.
•    Is your character easy for others to see?
I’m not sure.  Saying I have a character implies I have a sense of identity, which I have little of.  Generally people consider me to be pretty predictable/me easy to read, so I’d say it likely is.
•    When people have an opinion about your character, do you take it seriously?
It depends, I’d say often though.
•    Why or why not?
People’s perspectives on most things interest me, I am typically curious on how I come across to others.  I’m drastically insecure and have a social anxiety disorder, so it’s hard for me not to pay attention to others' opinions on my existence.  I take it seriously unless I have a better explanation on it.
━━━━━
⠀⠀⠀
5

•    Tell us about a specific time that you vocalized or expressed a deep feeling or emotion.
Hahaha I don’t do that often/in a controlled way, I have a very low emotional intelligence.  I suppose I did so when my roommate wasn’t cleaning enough in the house.  Expressed this through verbalizing that it bothered me repeatedly and bringing up his lack of action in front of his friends as a “joke” (ie. passive aggression/aggressive passiveness).  I yelled once or twice about it too I guess.
•    How did you decide which emotion was relevant to your personal values?
I don’t do this actively as, again, I struggle with emotional intelligence and also sensationally recognizing emotions.  I only really do so when an emotion goes against my “personal values,” in which case it makes me uncomfortable enough to either repress it, rationalize it, or discard it.
•    Can you imagine how you might turn this experience into a chance to create art, stories or music?
Yes, though it’s a very unconscious process.
•    How might you do that?
I tend to make a lot of stories in general in order to understand things in depth.  Since my emotions are confusing to me, they tend to bleed heavily into my stories and drawings.  This is both a means to mechanically deconstruct the emotion and figure out it’s implications (mostly by means of turning the emotion into a philosophical dilemma or playing out different versions of the emotion to understand how it works mechanically) or unconscious catharsis.
Other artistic pursuits are often used as a means to distract from emotions I cannot break down and understand, which could be another way I turn experience into art in a roundabout way.
•    If this is difficult, explain what barriers hold you back from imagining this.
I wouldn’t consider this difficult, as it’s something I do often.  But directly “turning emotion” into pretty or meaningful art isn’t something I’m inclined to do, so that would make this somewhat difficult to describe?
━━━━━

6

•    Tell us about a time that someone expressed their deep feelings or emotions to you.
People do this all the time, my friend does it often around me.  He struggles with his shame and lack of satisfaction, so he tells me about these things in depth as a means to vent and I provide commentary when necessary.
•    Did you encourage or accept these expressions?
I accept them and don’t discourage them.  I find it interesting to hear about how other people experience emotions, as it helps me understand emotions better in general.  Also I find it entertaining/novel to learn about how people experience things and don’t mind providing support/commentary since it brings me that “entertainment” (NOTE: Entertainment is used loosely for lack of a better term I think; I don’t thrive off of others suffering and actually am quite bothered to see others in pain/am inclined to relieve that, which is another reason I don’t discourage these expressions)..
•    Do you ever consider the appropriateness of those emotions?
Not when they are each other's emotions as much.  I don’t control other people’s emotions.  I don’t have to like how someone’s feeling and I can even think those feelings make no sense, but that doesn’t change how they’re feeling.  Appropriateness is generally irrelevant unless behavior/outward expression is inappropriate/harmful, in which case it becomes especially relevant.
•    Do you think about the value of culture, art and music often?
Not at all.  I like learning about all these things and participate in the latter two often in my own way, but assigning value to these things is not something I’ve ever thought in depth about.
•    If so, where do you draw the line between what’s good or bad?
Analysis.  Generally, the definition of good and bad are highly subjective, so I just use other’s standards when interacting with them and go from there.  The only real deviation from this is my emotions, and that’s a very primal process of “the emotion is bad because either I don’t like it/it’s a factor towards bias/blinding me or feeling it inhibits me, so it’s bad.”
•    If you disagree with the notion of "good or bad art, culture or music" please explain further.
I don’t disagree or agree as much as I just don’t care/this is not relevant.  Sure, some art is “bad” because it shows a low degree of skill or hits far from the vision, or the music is “bad” because it hits far from it’s vision (of being agreeable to the ear by most I guess) or like people call it bad (ie. my taste in music is considered to be “bad” because it is culturally unfavorable and has a lot of dissonance) and I will joke that it’s “bad” but literally this holds little to no relevance to me unless I’m producing it (hence good/bad becomes a matter of standards).
━━━━━

7

•    Describe a time or situation where you managed your resources to fit your needs.
College?  I managed money to make sure I could obtain food and also pay for rent.  I just kind of ignored desire and got a job to ensure I always had excess resources to maintain myself and occasionally yield to desire when I felt ok doing so (which is relatively rare).
•    Did you do so to keep yourself comfortable, or were there other reasons?
I did so to maintain myself primarily.  I also did so to reduce burden on family members, as it makes me uncomfortable to take others resources, especially when they don’t prioritize themselves.  There is a desire to maintain basic comfort levels (ie. don’t pass the threshold of too much strain) and avoid guilt.
•    What drives you to avoid discomfort if so?
Guilt and my own personal sensitivity.  There is only so much I can handle, and that’s the case with most people.  I don’t always know where those lines are and am sometimes unaware when I cross them, so if I “underestimate” their location, I avoid burnout/maintain self/comfort at the sacrifice of my own desires.

•    Do you believe you're highly skilled at organizing your environment?
Not in the slightest, I am a mess.  What skills I have have been built overtime and are still subpar/inconsistent.
•    What resources do you consider a necessity to keep in your surroundings?
Food, money, “mental resources” (I can’t keep these in my surroundings per say, but I can try to maintain them) very basic resources.  I also alot small space for pleasures to keep from complete burnout.
•    If this is difficult to answer, why do you think that is?
I feel like I could be considerably better at this, but don’t put a lot of thought into this.  Not that I’ve never struggled with resources, I’m just excessively willing to work with what I have even at detriment to myself.
━━━━━

8

•    Describe a time or situation where someone else managed your resources.
 My parents did that with food and such.
•    Did you trust them?
Easily
•    Why or why not?
Even though they weren’t alway sufficient, that was their job and they tend to keep me in check.  This is literally the only example, as I’m pretty in control of what resources I have/obtaining them and maintaining the minimum I need to maintain myself.
•    How do you respond to advice regarding your personal needs, space and comfort?
I am open to others giving me advice on my needs, as I have a hard time drawing the line between want and needs (and tend to assume many needs and desires rather than the reverse).  Being open to this allows me to maintain health/sanity.  I don’t know so much about my personal space and comfort, no one really gives me advice on this and I generally just keep to myself (ie. maintain my own space and keep others out) and am more concerned with other’s comfort than my own (since I am generally uncomfortable by default; Adjusting to others comfort has more rewards unless I’m overextended).
•    Are the opinions of others regarding money important to you?
They’re not unimportant?  I generally spend money the way I want and pay attention when I’m out of a domain I understand.
•    What is your response to those who are interested in your personal tastes, aesthetic preferences, and belongings?
I avoid them?  I have no real sense of what an aesthetic is (nor do I really care about it/understand it in depth), I don’t really have much of a taste either (except for food, which I share with others in order to increase their level of entertainment when I can if that counts).  Distinct preferences are rare as I am very apathetic except if it is in the domain of boundaries (ei. I need to maintain my personal space,” I’m keeping my food in my closet because I don’t want to share and you guys (ie. my roomates) are being communal,” etc).  I’m typically averse to sharing a lot of information about myself, thus I tend to divert their attention to other things.
•    Do you discuss or share them freely?  Why or why not?
No, I was persistently bullied and from other circumstances was conditioned into thinking my personal preferences or comfort was burdensome or an annoyance to others.  I literally have the flight response to sharing things about myself.