HAVE YOU BEEN BRAINWASHED?
IDEOLOGY AND ETHICS SURVEY

1.	Should a country or large business err on the side of centralization or decentralization?

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(- 5) A strong centralization . . . .viewpoint:				.(+5) A strong decentralization . . . . .viewpoint:
*	Greater decision-making speed and		*	.Decision nodes usually closer to
	secrecy when leadership consolidated			unfolding action and reality
*	More structure to enforce common		*	Greater innovativeness and individual
	standards across a larger group			liberty. Greater exit options at grass roots
*	Greater chances for economies of		*	Usually smaller, simpler, and more
	scale, size may help military defense			transparent, greater focus on basic tasks
	sample arguments on both sides of this issue
				(Post-test commentary and references)

2. How strong is the genetic influence in shaping human behavior compared to environmental influences (or learning factors)?
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(- 5) A strong environmental . . . .viewpoint:					.(+5) A strong genetic . . . . .viewpoint:
*	Humans are blank slates with nearly		*	Intelligence is 60-80% genetic, most
	unlimited ability to learn and improve				temperamental traits around 50%
*	All men can learn to share in ways		*		Even subtle innate differences are crucial
	that avoid destructive competition				in long term inter-group competition
*	Ignoring genetic differences is a key to		*		Genetic differences can never be elimin-
	peace and social harmony				ated, therefore wise not to ignore them
	sample arguments on both sides of this issue
					(Post-test commentary and references)

 

3. As people rise in power how are they entitled to change the character of the morality that they practice?
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(- 5) One perspective on an . . . .ethical issue:					.(+5) An opposing perspective on the . . . . .same ethical issue:
*	In the long run, moral consequences		*	As people gain in power, they enter an
	are the same for everyone				increasingly utilitarian world of realpolitik
*	Leaders should be held to higher stan-		*		Leaders powerful enough to create laws
	dards of integrity, not less				are wise enough to rise above the law
*	Unrestrained leaders must be openly		*		Criticizing our leaders gives propaganda
	criticized and even impeached				to enemies who are even more immoral
	sample arguments on both sides of this issue
					(Post-test commentary and references)

 

4. What is the ultimate long term score card for measuring the worth of a society?
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(- 5) A strong genetic . . . .viewpoint:					.(+5) A strong environmental . . . . .viewpoint:
*	Innately productive people must out-		*	Ignores reproductive rates in favor of "so-
	breed innately dysfunctional people				cial justice" and "equality" for everyone
*	Preserving cultural integrity a key to		*		Culture has improved by borrowing the
	preserving racial integrity				best ideas of all peoples around the world
*	Preserving genetic quality key long		*		A culture is superior if it can be exported
	term factor behind dynamic culture				and successfully perpetrated by anyone
	sample arguments on both sides of this issue
					(Post-test commentary and references)

 

5. How much power should we give strong and charismatic political leaders?
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(- 5) A strong decentralization . . . .viewpoint:					.(+5) A strong centralization . . . . .viewpoint:
*	Never let empowerment at the bottom		*	Realistically, to get things done, leaders
	atrophy by giving it up to the top				need to be empowered "people pushers"
*	All trends in the direction of absolute		*		Long run success depends on the emer-
	power also help corrupt absolutely				gence of strong leaders to handle crises
*	The real test of a leader is his ability		*		Really good leaders are so rare that they
	to be survived by his subordinates				must be treated as if irreplaceable
	sample arguments on both sides of this issue
					(Post-test commentary and references)

 

6. How should we justify an increased use of deception in high-level business and political affairs?
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(- 5) One perspective on an . . . ..ethical issue:					.(+5) An opposing perspective on . . . .. the same ethical issue:
*	Savvy people learn how to bluff and		*	Technology, education and other vital a-
	play poker with other peoples' lives				reas must err towards honesty to advance
*	People who are gullible enough to fall		*		Lies are hard to retract, and become very
	for lies get what they deserve				dangerous as they build on each other
*	People show their superiority by get-		*		People show superiority by holding to
	ting others to swallow their lies				a code of truth, honor, and integrity
	sample arguments on both sides of this issue
					(Post-test commentary and references)