How Far Would You Go?

[jayem]

They offer you the complete knowledge of what happens after death, but you must answer a question honestly: how far would you go to get this knowledge?

I could honestly answer what I would NOT do. I might need some time to make a complete list. Some items would include:

1) Killing, injuring, or causing any kind of physical or emotional pain to another person. In fact, I'd rather not cause pain or suffering to any sentient creature.

2) Being required to undergo any kind of trial which could cause serious physical injury to myself or others.

3) Being required to spend all of my assets, or give up my ability to work, which would impair how I could provide for my family.

4) Lying or being deceitful to, or misleading anyone in a way that could cause harm.

5) Being required to commit any kind of serious crime not already mentioned above.

I'm sure there are more things I wouldn't do, but that's a start.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Theoretical situation: you are approached by some supernatural being (could be an angel, demon, spirit, whatever). They offer you the complete knowledge of what happens after death, but you must answer a question honestly: how far would you go to get this knowledge?

To within the limits of my conscience.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[keith99]

...
7. The answer in and of itself will not impact your personal afterlife.

Let's see.

This one seems to imply that the typical American Christian view is off as knowing would pretty much in and of itself impact my afterlife and it would have a strong influence on my future actions and belief.

So on the Christian bit that limits to strict Calvinists being right or we just die really dead.

Or an idea Niven and Pournelle came up with that really would make the Christian Good News good news. That we all go to eternal suffering and there is no way out!

Since I know that one is on the table I'll go as far as to ask nicely that he tell me but only if he also tells me how to improve both my and others fates if we do live after death.

I no more have a morbid desire to know what happens after I die than I do to know the time of my death. I'm perfectly willing to ruin a tabletop. (Bonus points for any who get the reference, it is not all that obscure and there is at least one thing to start you on the right path in my post).

 

[theophilus777]

The problem with the OP's question is if said spirit is going to tell you the truth, there is only Spirit it could be and we already know what He says on the subject.

 

[Eudaimonist]

The problem with the OP's question is if said spirit is going to tell you the truth, there is only Spirit it could be and we already know what He says on the subject.

And what if the Truth is something that you didn't expect?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[PsychoSarah]

And what if the Truth is something that you didn't expect?


eudaimonia,

Mark

The truth being something you don't expect would be far more worth your time don't you think?

 

[toolmanjantzi]

Theoretical situation: you are approached by some supernatural being (could be an angel, demon, spirit, whatever). They offer you the complete knowledge of what happens after death, but you must answer a question honestly: how far would you go to get this knowledge? The rules: 1. By the premise, assume that this being will be completely honest should you answer the question honestly. 2. Whether or not you will be obligated to perform said action in order to get the answer will remain unknown, you might, and you might not. 3. This isn't a test of faith, you refuse to answer, and the being disappears. 4. You can't say you would die for it yourself, the point is that you live long enough to inform others. After all, it would be a tad redundant to be willing to kill yourself for the knowledge of what happens after we die. 5. You have to actually be physically able to complete the action. No bringing people back to life or starting the end of the world. It has to be within your own limits. 6. You can't assume an answer, it could very well be that the answer is there is no afterlife. The only assumption you can make is that the answer will be honest and accurate. 7. The answer in and of itself will not impact your personal afterlife.

This is interesting. How would you know they told the truth? Unless they displayed endlessly. If the spirit was evil their truth could be that of deception.