[Athenian200]

I've actually asked myself the other question as well. It probably can't be answered.

Okay, let's try this. Have you ever felt sad or happy about something, even though it had nothing to do with understanding or acheiving something? Would you feel any emotions unrelated to logic in any of the following situations:

1. Someone you knew for a long time dies, and you get a large inheritance. Internally, despite what you express to others, are you pondering about the goals/understanding you can achieve with the money, or are you sad that they died?

2. A work of art that that wasn't useful or worth much monitarily, and wasn't beautiful to anyone is destroyed. Does this affect you?

3. You see a person you used to know really well a few years ago but lost touch with on the side of the road in rags, begging for money. You are a millionaire. Somehow, you know that no one will ever know if you helped this person or not, and that they will never be able to return the favor. They pleadingly ask you for some money. Do you give them anything?

My answers:

1. Both. I'm very sad that they died, but I'm also contemplating receiving the money. Additionally, I feel guilty for being glad that I'll receive money.

2. No, because it wasn't beautiful. If had been, I would have been a little sad, but not much.

3. Yes, because I wouldn't have missed the money being a millionaire, and it would have haunted me for the rest of my life that I just left them there in that state when I could have done something.