2006-08-29 14:38:06 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I agree with the first respndant. We do possess the ability although it is undeveloped. We also have other abilities, such as being able to "read" people by observing their actions, the choices they make, and the way they treat others. The way people treat others indicated how they feel about themselves, and the choices they make are based on the way they think. Some people act out of spite, while others take the high road. Some people define themselves by what they have, while others define themselves by what they can do. Some people feel more responsibility to others while some feel the world owes them something. When your mind is clear of anxieties and obligations, it is easier to decifer these things. It would be disturbing though, hearing other peoples' thoughts the way they think them. You would have to have a really thick skin and remain completely objective or else your own emotional reaction would drive you crazy.
2006-08-29 15:04:12 · answer #1 · answered by pandora the cat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely!
But first let's define this a little more.
By read, I assume being able to pluck one's thoughts on several levels (including the song stuck in their head!).
Reading emotions and moods has no interest to me, however memories would be pretty interesting -- I'm sure I'd never leave the mall!
There must be some selectivity to it, like our other senses they can be dull until focused. I think eye sight is the best example.
Given a three month period to learn to filter first impressions, I think I'd have a great time, get rich and make some really awesome friends.
2006-08-29 16:31:15 · answer #2 · answered by wrathofkublakhan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because sometimes thoughts invade a persons mind from an inherited mind set (product of their environment) not from choice. We as humans would take it the wrong way & would walk around upset 24/7.
It's enough being able to read a persons expressions & gestures.
2006-08-29 14:48:51 · answer #3 · answered by paintressa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if I had the power to turn it off & on at will, otherwise a constant barrage of other people's thoughts bombarding my mind would make me go crazy. But if I could look at a particular person and concentrate and get some thoughts, it might be something I would do.
2006-08-29 14:43:59 · answer #4 · answered by Squirrley Temple 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Agree with some of the other comments.
We can pretty much sense other peoples thoughts by observing their bodily language and subtle facial movements.
Those are natural body responses. They can't control it.
Regarding your question, i'll say ignorance is bliss.
Being able to read too much into other thoughts, and being able to see through their hyprocrisy easily will make you feel very negative about the world.
So, that's why I say its better not to know for most of the time.
It's easier to get by.
2006-08-29 18:46:26 · answer #5 · answered by Saffren 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would. I believe we all get that ability anyway when we leave our bodies. Then souls acquire a flavour/smell or texture. Those that stink go and join others that stink. The other souls that are pleasanter to be around will flock together. To be stuck with stinking souls is hell, the nicer smelling ones is heaven. Besides I would read chicks minds and know exactly how to get in bed with them :)
2006-08-29 15:13:51 · answer #6 · answered by Xray 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. That's where people weigh their options about things. If you could read their minds, you'd be getting, let's call it, the first draft of their actions. I'd prefer to let a person make a decision before I would hear what was on their mind.
2006-08-29 14:48:12 · answer #7 · answered by dashelamet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the poet said, "'If' is a dangerous word..."
I'd accept it if I also had the ability to turn it off, or at least block out some of what people were thinking, and if it didn't come with a 'price tag' attached that I found unacceptable.
2006-08-29 14:48:19 · answer #8 · answered by Red 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question, lots of pros and cons. you would definitley be rich, you would be able to give the right answers at the right times, you could help people with their problems, to name a few. the down side would be knowing what people thought of you, which can vary from day to day, so if you caught them on a day you pissed them off you might get the wrong idea of their tru feelings. then theres the potential muderers, child molesters, thieves, or someone thinking on these lines that would never carry it out. you would know all of peoples sexuall fetishes, what they thought of others, why they are the way the way they are ect. i think it would slowly drive you insane. hell no.
2006-08-29 15:01:14 · answer #9 · answered by chris l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My answer would be the same as Dirtfire. If there were a switch where I could select only those minds I wanted to listen to then I would accept it.
2006-08-29 14:47:34 · answer #10 · answered by Doc Watson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋