Survey Results

Longitudinal analysis

This page compares the 2009 and 2020 results. Because the 2009 survey offered limited options to endorse combinations of views, this page uses the "exclusive" answer counts, which do not include combinations. You can view longitudinal comparisons of three types:

Comparable departments compares the answers of faculty members at departments in the 2009 survey (99 departments) with those of faculty at comparable 2020 departments (100 departments), where departments are selected based largely on rankings in both cases.
Same departments compares the 2009 and 2020 answers of faculty members at the departments we had elected for surveying in 2009.
Same people compares the 2009 and 2020 answers of the target 2009 respondents.

The results can be displayed in two ways:

Percentages: shows the percentage of respondents who accept or lean toward a given answer exclusively.
Weights: for each answer, a respondent counts for 100 if they accept it (exclusively), 75 if they lean toward it, 50 if they selected a neutral answer ("agnostic", "too unclear to answer", and "no fact of the matter"), 25 if they lean toward another option, and 0 if they reject it. Weights are averaged over all respondents who give an exclusive answer or a neutral answer.

About the columns:

Change is the 2020 percentage (or weight) minus the 2009 percentage (or weight).
Swing toward an answer is defined as the relative strength of that answer in 2020 minus its relative strength in 2009. The relative strength of an answer is defined as the percentage (or weight) of respondents associated with that answer minus the average of the percentages (or weights) associated with all answers to the same question. For comparative purposes, swings are more meaningful than changes, as constant upward or downward changes across all options cancel out, and swings are guaranteed to sum to zero.

Comparison type

Display type

AOS

Main questions

A priori knowledge: yes or no?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: yes

71.11%

74.85%

3.74

4.26

2009	71.11%
2020	74.85%
Change	3.74
Swing	4.26

Accept or lean towards: no

18.37%

13.58%

4.79

-4.26

2009	18.37%
2020	13.58%
Change	4.79
Swing	-4.26

Accept a combination of views

1.72%

0.15%

1.57

2009	1.72%
2020	0.15%
Change	1.57

Accept an alternative view

0.86%

0.77%

0.09

2009	0.86%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.09

The question is too unclear to answer

4.62%

4.63%

0.01

2009	4.62%
2020	4.63%
Change	0.01

There is no fact of the matter

0.32%

0.15%

0.17

2009	0.32%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.17

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

0.64%

1.54%

0.90

2009	0.64%
2020	1.54%
Change	0.90

Agnostic/undecided

1.61%

3.09%

1.48

2009	1.61%
2020	3.09%
Change	1.48

Skipped

0.54%

0.93%

0.39

2009	0.54%
2020	0.93%
Change	0.39

Other

0.21%

0.31%

0.10

2009	0.21%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.10

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Abstract objects: Platonism or nominalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: Platonism

39.31%

37.19%

2.12

-0.57

2009	39.31%
2020	37.19%
Change	2.12
Swing	-0.57

Accept or lean towards: nominalism

37.7%

36.73%

0.97

0.57

2009	37.7%
2020	36.73%
Change	0.97
Swing	0.57

Accept a combination of views

6.12%

0.93%

5.19

2009	6.12%
2020	0.93%
Change	5.19

Accept an alternative view

4.94%

2.93%

2.01

2009	4.94%
2020	2.93%
Change	2.01

The question is too unclear to answer

2.04%

2.31%

0.27

2009	2.04%
2020	2.31%
Change	0.27

There is no fact of the matter

0.86%

3.09%

2.23

2009	0.86%
2020	3.09%
Change	2.23

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

2.79%

6.48%

3.69

2009	2.79%
2020	6.48%
Change	3.69

Agnostic/undecided

5.05%

8.95%

3.90

2009	5.05%
2020	8.95%
Change	3.90

Skipped

0.97%

1.08%

0.11

2009	0.97%
2020	1.08%
Change	0.11

Other

0.21%

0.31%

0.10

2009	0.21%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.10

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Aesthetic value: objective or subjective?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: objective

41.03%

37.81%

3.22

-3.43

2009	41.03%
2020	37.81%
Change	3.22
Swing	-3.43

Accept or lean towards: subjective

34.48%

38.12%

3.64

3.43

2009	34.48%
2020	38.12%
Change	3.64
Swing	3.43

Accept a combination of views

10.1%

3.24%

6.86

2009	10.1%
2020	3.24%
Change	6.86

Accept an alternative view

2.58%

2.93%

0.35

2009	2.58%
2020	2.93%
Change	0.35

The question is too unclear to answer

4.51%

5.56%

1.05

2009	4.51%
2020	5.56%
Change	1.05

There is no fact of the matter

0.21%

0.46%

0.25

2009	0.21%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.25

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

3.11%

3.7%

0.59

2009	3.11%
2020	3.7%
Change	0.59

Agnostic/undecided

3.22%

6.94%

3.72

2009	3.22%
2020	6.94%
Change	3.72

Skipped

0.43%

0.77%

0.34

2009	0.43%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.34

Other

0.32%

0.46%

0.14

2009	0.32%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.14

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Analytic-synthetic distinction: yes or no?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: yes

64.88%

63.73%

1.15

2.62

2009	64.88%
2020	63.73%
Change	1.15
Swing	2.62

Accept or lean towards: no

27.07%

20.68%

6.39

-2.62

2009	27.07%
2020	20.68%
Change	6.39
Swing	-2.62

Accept a combination of views

1.61%

0.15%

1.46

2009	1.61%
2020	0.15%
Change	1.46

Accept an alternative view

0.64%

1.23%

0.59

2009	0.64%
2020	1.23%
Change	0.59

The question is too unclear to answer

2.47%

2.62%

0.15

2009	2.47%
2020	2.62%
Change	0.15

There is no fact of the matter

0.21%

0.46%

0.25

2009	0.21%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.25

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

0.43%

2.31%

1.88

2009	0.43%
2020	2.31%
Change	1.88

Agnostic/undecided

1.93%

7.41%

5.48

2009	1.93%
2020	7.41%
Change	5.48

Skipped

0.64%

0.77%

0.13

2009	0.64%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.13

Other

0.11%

0.62%

0.51

2009	0.11%
2020	0.62%
Change	0.51

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Epistemic justification: internalism or externalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: internalism

26.42%

27.93%

1.51

0.68

2009	26.42%
2020	27.93%
Change	1.51
Swing	0.68

Accept or lean towards: externalism

42.75%

42.9%

0.15

-0.68

2009	42.75%
2020	42.9%
Change	0.15
Swing	-0.68

Accept a combination of views

12.14%

5.71%

6.43

2009	12.14%
2020	5.71%
Change	6.43

Accept an alternative view

2.15%

2.62%

0.47

2009	2.15%
2020	2.62%
Change	0.47

The question is too unclear to answer

3.01%

4.32%

1.31

2009	3.01%
2020	4.32%
Change	1.31

There is no fact of the matter

0.75%

2.16%

1.41

2009	0.75%
2020	2.16%
Change	1.41

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

4.73%

6.17%

1.44

2009	4.73%
2020	6.17%
Change	1.44

Agnostic/undecided

6.02%

6.64%

0.62

2009	6.02%
2020	6.64%
Change	0.62

Skipped

1.61%

0.77%

0.84

2009	1.61%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.84

Other

0.43%

0.77%

0.34

2009	0.43%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.34

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

External world: idealism, skepticism, or non-skeptical realism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: idealism

4.3%

4.01%

0.29

-0.53

2009	4.3%
2020	4.01%
Change	0.29
Swing	-0.53

Accept or lean towards: skepticism

4.83%

4.32%

0.51

-0.76

2009	4.83%
2020	4.32%
Change	0.51
Swing	-0.76

Accept or lean towards: non-skeptical realism

81.63%

83.18%

1.55

1.30

2009	81.63%
2020	83.18%
Change	1.55
Swing	1.30

Accept a combination of views

3.11%

1.23%

1.88

2009	3.11%
2020	1.23%
Change	1.88

Accept an alternative view

2.58%

2.01%

0.57

2009	2.58%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.57

The question is too unclear to answer

1.5%

1.85%

0.35

2009	1.5%
2020	1.85%
Change	0.35

There is no fact of the matter

0.54%

0.62%

0.08

2009	0.54%
2020	0.62%
Change	0.08

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

0.62%

0.62

2009	0%
2020	0.62%
Change	0.62

Agnostic/undecided

0.43%

2.01%

1.58

2009	0.43%
2020	2.01%
Change	1.58

Skipped

0.64%

0.64

2009	0.64%
2020	0%
Change	0.64

Other

0.43%

0.15%

0.28

2009	0.43%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.28

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Free will: compatibilism, libertarianism, or no free will?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: compatibilism

59.08%

62.81%

3.73

3.54

2009	59.08%
2020	62.81%
Change	3.73
Swing	3.54

Accept or lean towards: libertarianism

13.75%

12.81%

0.94

-1.13

2009	13.75%
2020	12.81%
Change	0.94
Swing	-1.13

Accept or lean towards: no free will

12.24%

10.03%

2.21

-2.41

2009	12.24%
2020	10.03%
Change	2.21
Swing	-2.41

Accept a combination of views

3.11%

1.7%

1.41

2009	3.11%
2020	1.7%
Change	1.41

Accept an alternative view

1.72%

2.62%

0.90

2009	1.72%
2020	2.62%
Change	0.90

The question is too unclear to answer

2.79%

1.7%

1.09

2009	2.79%
2020	1.7%
Change	1.09

There is no fact of the matter

0.86%

1.08%

0.22

2009	0.86%
2020	1.08%
Change	0.22

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

1.72%

1.39%

0.33

2009	1.72%
2020	1.39%
Change	0.33

Agnostic/undecided

4.08%

5.09%

1.01

2009	4.08%
2020	5.09%
Change	1.01

Skipped

0.32%

0.15%

0.17

2009	0.32%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.17

Other

0.32%

0.62%

0.30

2009	0.32%
2020	0.62%
Change	0.30

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

God: theism or atheism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: theism

14.61%

12.5%

2.11

-1.76

2009	14.61%
2020	12.5%
Change	2.11
Swing	-1.76

Accept or lean towards: atheism

72.82%

74.23%

1.41

1.76

2009	72.82%
2020	74.23%
Change	1.41
Swing	1.76

Accept a combination of views

2.47%

0.31%

2.16

2009	2.47%
2020	0.31%
Change	2.16

Accept an alternative view

0.86%

2.78%

1.92

2009	0.86%
2020	2.78%
Change	1.92

The question is too unclear to answer

1.72%

2.01%

0.29

2009	1.72%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.29

There is no fact of the matter

0.54%

0.31%

0.23

2009	0.54%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.23

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

0.15%

0.15

2009	0%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.15

Agnostic/undecided

5.48%

6.94%

1.46

2009	5.48%
2020	6.94%
Change	1.46

Skipped

0.97%

0.31%

0.66

2009	0.97%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.66

Other

0.54%

0.46%

0.08

2009	0.54%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.08

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Knowledge: empiricism or rationalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: empiricism

35.02%

33.02%

2.00

-1.44

2009	35.02%
2020	33.02%
Change	2.00
Swing	-1.44

Accept or lean towards: rationalism

27.82%

28.7%

0.88

1.44

2009	27.82%
2020	28.7%
Change	0.88
Swing	1.44

Accept a combination of views

21.27%

7.72%

13.55

2009	21.27%
2020	7.72%
Change	13.55

Accept an alternative view

2.69%

4.48%

1.79

2009	2.69%
2020	4.48%
Change	1.79

The question is too unclear to answer

9.77%

14.51%

4.74

2009	9.77%
2020	14.51%
Change	4.74

There is no fact of the matter

0.21%

1.23%

1.02

2009	0.21%
2020	1.23%
Change	1.02

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

0.54%

2.78%

2.24

2009	0.54%
2020	2.78%
Change	2.24

Agnostic/undecided

1.93%

5.09%

3.16

2009	1.93%
2020	5.09%
Change	3.16

Skipped

0.54%

1.23%

0.69

2009	0.54%
2020	1.23%
Change	0.69

Other

0.21%

1.23%

1.02

2009	0.21%
2020	1.23%
Change	1.02

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Knowledge claims: contextualism, relativism, or invariantism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: contextualism

40.06%

42.44%

2.38

5.06

2009	40.06%
2020	42.44%
Change	2.38
Swing	5.06

Accept or lean towards: relativism

2.9%

2.62%

0.28

2.41

2009	2.9%
2020	2.62%
Change	0.28
Swing	2.41

Accept or lean towards: invariantism

31.15%

20.99%

10.16

-7.47

2009	31.15%
2020	20.99%
Change	10.16
Swing	-7.47

Accept a combination of views

4.4%

2.31%

2.09

2009	4.4%
2020	2.31%
Change	2.09

Accept an alternative view

1.29%

2.01%

0.72

2009	1.29%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.72

The question is too unclear to answer

2.47%

2.16%

0.31

2009	2.47%
2020	2.16%
Change	0.31

There is no fact of the matter

0.75%

2.01%

1.26

2009	0.75%
2020	2.01%
Change	1.26

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

9.02%

14.04%

5.02

2009	9.02%
2020	14.04%
Change	5.02

Agnostic/undecided

5.69%

9.41%

3.72

2009	5.69%
2020	9.41%
Change	3.72

Skipped

1.93%

1.7%

0.23

2009	1.93%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.23

Other

0.32%

0.31%

0.01

2009	0.32%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.01

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Laws of nature: Humean or non-Humean?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: Humean

24.7%

24.38%

0.32

4.26

2009	24.7%
2020	24.38%
Change	0.32
Swing	4.26

Accept or lean towards: non-Humean

57.14%

48.3%

8.84

-4.26

2009	57.14%
2020	48.3%
Change	8.84
Swing	-4.26

Accept a combination of views

1.29%

0.77%

0.52

2009	1.29%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.52

Accept an alternative view

1.18%

1.23%

0.05

2009	1.18%
2020	1.23%
Change	0.05

The question is too unclear to answer

1.83%

2.47%

0.64

2009	1.83%
2020	2.47%
Change	0.64

There is no fact of the matter

0.21%

0.77%

0.56

2009	0.21%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.56

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

5.48%

11.11%

5.63

2009	5.48%
2020	11.11%
Change	5.63

Agnostic/undecided

6.44%

9.88%

3.44

2009	6.44%
2020	9.88%
Change	3.44

Skipped

1.18%

0.93%

0.25

2009	1.18%
2020	0.93%
Change	0.25

Other

0.54%

0.15%

0.39

2009	0.54%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.39

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Logic: classical or non-classical?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: classical

51.56%

39.81%

11.75

-6.68

2009	51.56%
2020	39.81%
Change	11.75
Swing	-6.68

Accept or lean towards: non-classical

15.36%

16.98%

1.62

6.68

2009	15.36%
2020	16.98%
Change	1.62
Swing	6.68

Accept a combination of views

6.23%

3.55%

2.68

2009	6.23%
2020	3.55%
Change	2.68

Accept an alternative view

0.86%

2.16%

1.30

2009	0.86%
2020	2.16%
Change	1.30

The question is too unclear to answer

3.44%

6.79%

3.35

2009	3.44%
2020	6.79%
Change	3.35

There is no fact of the matter

3.22%

4.63%

1.41

2009	3.22%
2020	4.63%
Change	1.41

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

12.03%

17.44%

5.41

2009	12.03%
2020	17.44%
Change	5.41

Agnostic/undecided

5.59%

7.1%

1.51

2009	5.59%
2020	7.1%
Change	1.51

Skipped

1.4%

1.39%

0.01

2009	1.4%
2020	1.39%
Change	0.01

Other

0.32%

0.15%

0.17

2009	0.32%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.17

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Mental content: internalism or externalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: internalism

19.98%

18.21%

1.77

-0.40

2009	19.98%
2020	18.21%
Change	1.77
Swing	-0.40

Accept or lean towards: externalism

51.13%

50.15%

0.98

0.40

2009	51.13%
2020	50.15%
Change	0.98
Swing	0.40

Accept a combination of views

9.67%

4.17%

5.50

2009	9.67%
2020	4.17%
Change	5.50

Accept an alternative view

2.26%

2.01%

0.25

2009	2.26%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.25

The question is too unclear to answer

3.01%

4.01%

1.00

2009	3.01%
2020	4.01%
Change	1.00

There is no fact of the matter

0.43%

1.54%

1.11

2009	0.43%
2020	1.54%
Change	1.11

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

5.69%

10.49%

4.80

2009	5.69%
2020	10.49%
Change	4.80

Agnostic/undecided

5.59%

7.56%

1.97

2009	5.59%
2020	7.56%
Change	1.97

Skipped

1.61%

1.39%

0.22

2009	1.61%
2020	1.39%
Change	0.22

Other

0.64%

0.46%

0.18

2009	0.64%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.18

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Meta-ethics: moral realism or moral anti-realism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: moral realism

56.39%

59.88%

3.49

2.71

2009	56.39%
2020	59.88%
Change	3.49
Swing	2.71

Accept or lean towards: moral anti-realism

27.71%

25.77%

1.94

-2.71

2009	27.71%
2020	25.77%
Change	1.94
Swing	-2.71

Accept a combination of views

3.65%

1.08%

2.57

2009	3.65%
2020	1.08%
Change	2.57

Accept an alternative view

2.69%

1.7%

0.99

2009	2.69%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.99

The question is too unclear to answer

2.9%

3.24%

0.34

2009	2.9%
2020	3.24%
Change	0.34

There is no fact of the matter

0.32%

0.77%

0.45

2009	0.32%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.45

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

2.47%

2.01%

0.46

2009	2.47%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.46

Agnostic/undecided

2.58%

4.01%

1.43

2009	2.58%
2020	4.01%
Change	1.43

Skipped

1.07%

0.77%

0.30

2009	1.07%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.30

Other

0.21%

0.77%

0.56

2009	0.21%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.56

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Metaphilosophy: naturalism or non-naturalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: naturalism

49.84%

43.21%

6.63

-1.71

2009	49.84%
2020	43.21%
Change	6.63
Swing	-1.71

Accept or lean towards: non-naturalism

25.89%

22.69%

3.20

1.71

2009	25.89%
2020	22.69%
Change	3.20
Swing	1.71

Accept a combination of views

2.69%

0.77%

1.92

2009	2.69%
2020	0.77%
Change	1.92

Accept an alternative view

0.75%

1.54%

0.79

2009	0.75%
2020	1.54%
Change	0.79

The question is too unclear to answer

9.67%

11.57%

1.90

2009	9.67%
2020	11.57%
Change	1.90

There is no fact of the matter

0.32%

0.77%

0.45

2009	0.32%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.45

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

6.77%

12.19%

5.42

2009	6.77%
2020	12.19%
Change	5.42

Agnostic/undecided

2.69%

6.02%

3.33

2009	2.69%
2020	6.02%
Change	3.33

Skipped

1.18%

0.93%

0.25

2009	1.18%
2020	0.93%
Change	0.25

Other

0.21%

0.31%

0.10

2009	0.21%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.10

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Mind: physicalism or non-physicalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: physicalism

56.5%

57.41%

0.91

1.10

2009	56.5%
2020	57.41%
Change	0.91
Swing	1.10

Accept or lean towards: non-physicalism

27.07%

25.77%

1.30

-1.10

2009	27.07%
2020	25.77%
Change	1.30
Swing	-1.10

Accept a combination of views

3.97%

0.31%

3.66

2009	3.97%
2020	0.31%
Change	3.66

Accept an alternative view

1.93%

2.62%

0.69

2009	1.93%
2020	2.62%
Change	0.69

The question is too unclear to answer

6.34%

5.25%

1.09

2009	6.34%
2020	5.25%
Change	1.09

There is no fact of the matter

0.32%

0.15%

0.17

2009	0.32%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.17

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

0.86%

2.47%

1.61

2009	0.86%
2020	2.47%
Change	1.61

Agnostic/undecided

2.47%

5.25%

2.78

2009	2.47%
2020	5.25%
Change	2.78

Skipped

0.43%

0.31%

0.12

2009	0.43%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.12

Other

0.11%

0.46%

0.35

2009	0.11%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.35

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Moral judgment: cognitivism or non-cognitivism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: cognitivism

65.74%

63.43%

2.31

-1.47

2009	65.74%
2020	63.43%
Change	2.31
Swing	-1.47

Accept or lean towards: non-cognitivism

16.97%

17.59%

0.62

1.47

2009	16.97%
2020	17.59%
Change	0.62
Swing	1.47

Accept a combination of views

5.37%

1.85%

3.52

2009	5.37%
2020	1.85%
Change	3.52

Accept an alternative view

1.93%

1.54%

0.39

2009	1.93%
2020	1.54%
Change	0.39

The question is too unclear to answer

1.72%

2.47%

0.75

2009	1.72%
2020	2.47%
Change	0.75

There is no fact of the matter

0.11%

0.31%

0.20

2009	0.11%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.20

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

4.73%

6.64%

1.91

2009	4.73%
2020	6.64%
Change	1.91

Agnostic/undecided

2.15%

4.01%

1.86

2009	2.15%
2020	4.01%
Change	1.86

Skipped

1.07%

1.7%

0.63

2009	1.07%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.63

Other

0.21%

0.46%

0.25

2009	0.21%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.25

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Moral motivation: internalism or externalism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: internalism

34.91%

29.63%

5.28

-4.35

2009	34.91%
2020	29.63%
Change	5.28
Swing	-4.35

Accept or lean towards: externalism

29.75%

33.18%

3.43

4.35

2009	29.75%
2020	33.18%
Change	3.43
Swing	4.35

Accept a combination of views

6.34%

1.54%

4.80

2009	6.34%
2020	1.54%
Change	4.80

Accept an alternative view

0.75%

0.77%

0.02

2009	0.75%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.02

The question is too unclear to answer

4.83%

5.09%

0.26

2009	4.83%
2020	5.09%
Change	0.26

There is no fact of the matter

0.11%

1.23%

1.12

2009	0.11%
2020	1.23%
Change	1.12

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

14.82%

16.67%

1.85

2009	14.82%
2020	16.67%
Change	1.85

Agnostic/undecided

6.02%

9.72%

3.70

2009	6.02%
2020	9.72%
Change	3.70

Skipped

2.15%

1.85%

0.30

2009	2.15%
2020	1.85%
Change	0.30

Other

0.32%

0.31%

0.01

2009	0.32%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.01

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Newcomb's problem: one box or two boxes?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: one box

21.27%

20.06%

1.21

-0.51

2009	21.27%
2020	20.06%
Change	1.21
Swing	-0.51

Accept or lean towards: two boxes

31.36%

31.17%

0.19

0.51

2009	31.36%
2020	31.17%
Change	0.19
Swing	0.51

Accept a combination of views

0.97%

0.31%

0.66

2009	0.97%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.66

Accept an alternative view

0.64%

0.77%

0.13

2009	0.64%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.13

The question is too unclear to answer

2.04%

2.01%

0.03

2009	2.04%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.03

There is no fact of the matter

1.61%

1.7%

0.09

2009	1.61%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.09

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

23.52%

25.62%

2.10

2009	23.52%
2020	25.62%
Change	2.10

Agnostic/undecided

13.32%

16.36%

3.04

2009	13.32%
2020	16.36%
Change	3.04

Skipped

4.73%

1.85%

2.88

2009	4.73%
2020	1.85%
Change	2.88

Other

0.54%

0.15%

0.39

2009	0.54%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.39

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Normative ethics: deontology, consequentialism, or virtue ethics?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: deontology

25.89%

22.53%

3.36

-1.48

2009	25.89%
2020	22.53%
Change	3.36
Swing	-1.48

Accept or lean towards: consequentialism

23.63%

21.3%

2.33

-0.46

2009	23.63%
2020	21.3%
Change	2.33
Swing	-0.46

Accept or lean towards: virtue ethics

18.15%

18.21%

0.06

1.93

2009	18.15%
2020	18.21%
Change	0.06
Swing	1.93

Accept a combination of views

15.9%

16.82%

0.92

2009	15.9%
2020	16.82%
Change	0.92

Accept an alternative view

3.54%

5.56%

2.02

2009	3.54%
2020	5.56%
Change	2.02

The question is too unclear to answer

1.83%

1.7%

0.13

2009	1.83%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.13

There is no fact of the matter

1.07%

3.55%

2.48

2009	1.07%
2020	3.55%
Change	2.48

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

3.33%

1.54%

1.79

2009	3.33%
2020	1.54%
Change	1.79

Agnostic/undecided

5.16%

7.25%

2.09

2009	5.16%
2020	7.25%
Change	2.09

Skipped

0.64%

1.08%

0.44

2009	0.64%
2020	1.08%
Change	0.44

Other

0.86%

0.46%

0.40

2009	0.86%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.40

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Perceptual experience: disjunctivism, qualia theory, representationalism, or sense-datum theory?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: disjunctivism

10.96%

11.11%

0.15

1.37

2009	10.96%
2020	11.11%
Change	0.15
Swing	1.37

Accept or lean towards: qualia theory

12.24%

10.8%

1.44

-0.23

2009	12.24%
2020	10.8%
Change	1.44
Swing	-0.23

Accept or lean towards: representationalism

31.47%

28.86%

2.61

-1.40

2009	31.47%
2020	28.86%
Change	2.61
Swing	-1.40

Accept or lean towards: sense-datum theory

3.11%

2.16%

0.95

0.26

2009	3.11%
2020	2.16%
Change	0.95
Swing	0.26

Accept a combination of views

8.16%

4.48%

3.68

2009	8.16%
2020	4.48%
Change	3.68

Accept an alternative view

3.87%

4.17%

0.30

2009	3.87%
2020	4.17%
Change	0.30

The question is too unclear to answer

2.58%

1.7%

0.88

2009	2.58%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.88

There is no fact of the matter

0.21%

1.08%

0.87

2009	0.21%
2020	1.08%
Change	0.87

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

16.22%

20.83%

4.61

2009	16.22%
2020	20.83%
Change	4.61

Agnostic/undecided

8.38%

11.88%

3.50

2009	8.38%
2020	11.88%
Change	3.50

Skipped

2.26%

2.16%

0.10

2009	2.26%
2020	2.16%
Change	0.10

Other

0.54%

0.77%

0.23

2009	0.54%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.23

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Personal identity: biological view, psychological view, or further-fact view?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: biological view

16.86%

15.28%

1.58

-1.97

2009	16.86%
2020	15.28%
Change	1.58
Swing	-1.97

Accept or lean towards: psychological view

33.62%

37.04%

3.42

3.03

2009	33.62%
2020	37.04%
Change	3.42
Swing	3.03

Accept or lean towards: further-fact view

12.24%

11.57%

0.67

-1.06

2009	12.24%
2020	11.57%
Change	0.67
Swing	-1.06

Accept a combination of views

10.31%

4.01%

6.30

2009	10.31%
2020	4.01%
Change	6.30

Accept an alternative view

3.87%

3.7%

0.17

2009	3.87%
2020	3.7%
Change	0.17

The question is too unclear to answer

2.79%

3.24%

0.45

2009	2.79%
2020	3.24%
Change	0.45

There is no fact of the matter

4.19%

5.71%

1.52

2009	4.19%
2020	5.71%
Change	1.52

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

6.23%

6.33%

0.10

2009	6.23%
2020	6.33%
Change	0.10

Agnostic/undecided

8.49%

10.96%

2.47

2009	8.49%
2020	10.96%
Change	2.47

Skipped

0.86%

1.39%

0.53

2009	0.86%
2020	1.39%
Change	0.53

Other

0.54%

0.77%

0.23

2009	0.54%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.23

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Proper names: Fregean or Millian?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: Fregean

28.68%

27.01%

1.67

0.28

2009	28.68%
2020	27.01%
Change	1.67
Swing	0.28

Accept or lean towards: Millian

34.48%

32.25%

2.23

-0.28

2009	34.48%
2020	32.25%
Change	2.23
Swing	-0.28

Accept a combination of views

7.63%

2.01%

5.62

2009	7.63%
2020	2.01%
Change	5.62

Accept an alternative view

3.44%

2.62%

0.82

2009	3.44%
2020	2.62%
Change	0.82

The question is too unclear to answer

2.58%

1.54%

1.04

2009	2.58%
2020	1.54%
Change	1.04

There is no fact of the matter

0.97%

1.7%

0.73

2009	0.97%
2020	1.7%
Change	0.73

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

13.75%

18.83%

5.08

2009	13.75%
2020	18.83%
Change	5.08

Agnostic/undecided

6.34%

12.04%

5.70

2009	6.34%
2020	12.04%
Change	5.70

Skipped

1.5%

1.23%

0.27

2009	1.5%
2020	1.23%
Change	0.27

Other

0.64%

0.77%

0.13

2009	0.64%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.13

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Science: scientific realism or scientific anti-realism?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: scientific realism

75.08%

73.61%

1.47

-0.26

2009	75.08%
2020	73.61%
Change	1.47
Swing	-0.26

Accept or lean towards: scientific anti-realism

11.6%

10.65%

0.95

0.26

2009	11.6%
2020	10.65%
Change	0.95
Swing	0.26

Accept a combination of views

5.05%

1.08%

3.97

2009	5.05%
2020	1.08%
Change	3.97

Accept an alternative view

1.61%

1.23%

0.38

2009	1.61%
2020	1.23%
Change	0.38

The question is too unclear to answer

2.47%

3.09%

0.62

2009	2.47%
2020	3.09%
Change	0.62

There is no fact of the matter

0.62%

0.62

2009	0%
2020	0.62%
Change	0.62

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

2.04%

5.4%

3.36

2009	2.04%
2020	5.4%
Change	3.36

Agnostic/undecided

1.5%

3.86%

2.36

2009	1.5%
2020	3.86%
Change	2.36

Skipped

0.32%

0.31%

0.01

2009	0.32%
2020	0.31%
Change	0.01

Other

0.32%

0.15%

0.17

2009	0.32%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.17

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Teletransporter (new matter): survival or death?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: survival

36.2%

35.96%

0.24

-1.68

2009	36.2%
2020	35.96%
Change	0.24
Swing	-1.68

Accept or lean towards: death

31.15%

34.26%

3.11

1.68

2009	31.15%
2020	34.26%
Change	3.11
Swing	1.68

Accept a combination of views

1.5%

0.62%

0.88

2009	1.5%
2020	0.62%
Change	0.88

Accept an alternative view

0.75%

1.54%

0.79

2009	0.75%
2020	1.54%
Change	0.79

The question is too unclear to answer

3.65%

4.01%

0.36

2009	3.65%
2020	4.01%
Change	0.36

There is no fact of the matter

6.02%

6.17%

0.15

2009	6.02%
2020	6.17%
Change	0.15

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

9.24%

6.02%

3.22

2009	9.24%
2020	6.02%
Change	3.22

Agnostic/undecided

8.59%

10.03%

1.44

2009	8.59%
2020	10.03%
Change	1.44

Skipped

2.04%

1.23%

0.81

2009	2.04%
2020	1.23%
Change	0.81

Other

0.86%

0.15%

0.71

2009	0.86%
2020	0.15%
Change	0.71

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Time: A-theory or B-theory?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: A-theory

15.47%

13.89%

1.58

-1.83

2009	15.47%
2020	13.89%
Change	1.58
Swing	-1.83

Accept or lean towards: B-theory

26.32%

28.4%

2.08

1.83

2009	26.32%
2020	28.4%
Change	2.08
Swing	1.83

Accept a combination of views

5.05%

2.16%

2.89

2009	5.05%
2020	2.16%
Change	2.89

Accept an alternative view

1.4%

1.54%

0.14

2009	1.4%
2020	1.54%
Change	0.14

The question is too unclear to answer

2.04%

2.47%

0.43

2009	2.04%
2020	2.47%
Change	0.43

There is no fact of the matter

1.83%

2.78%

0.95

2009	1.83%
2020	2.78%
Change	0.95

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

30.83%

28.4%

2.43

2009	30.83%
2020	28.4%
Change	2.43

Agnostic/undecided

10.53%

17.28%

6.75

2009	10.53%
2020	17.28%
Change	6.75

Skipped

5.69%

2.31%

3.38

2009	5.69%
2020	2.31%
Change	3.38

Other

0.86%

0.77%

0.09

2009	0.86%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.09

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Trolley problem (five straight ahead, one on side track, turn requires switching, what ought one do?): switch or don't switch?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: switch

68.21%

66.2%

2.01

-3.13

2009	68.21%
2020	66.2%
Change	2.01
Swing	-3.13

Accept or lean towards: don't switch

7.63%

11.88%

4.25

3.13

2009	7.63%
2020	11.88%
Change	4.25
Swing	3.13

Accept a combination of views

2.79%

0.62%

2.17

2009	2.79%
2020	0.62%
Change	2.17

Accept an alternative view

1.18%

1.85%

0.67

2009	1.18%
2020	1.85%
Change	0.67

The question is too unclear to answer

2.9%

2.93%

0.03

2009	2.9%
2020	2.93%
Change	0.03

There is no fact of the matter

3.65%

4.63%

0.98

2009	3.65%
2020	4.63%
Change	0.98

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

4.51%

0.62%

3.89

2009	4.51%
2020	0.62%
Change	3.89

Agnostic/undecided

6.44%

7.87%

1.43

2009	6.44%
2020	7.87%
Change	1.43

Skipped

1.61%

1.39%

0.22

2009	1.61%
2020	1.39%
Change	0.22

Other

1.07%

2.01%

0.94

2009	1.07%
2020	2.01%
Change	0.94

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Truth: correspondence, deflationary, or epistemic?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: correspondence

50.81%

44.44%

6.37

-3.40

2009	50.81%
2020	44.44%
Change	6.37
Swing	-3.40

Accept or lean towards: deflationary

24.81%

23.77%

1.04

1.91

2009	24.81%
2020	23.77%
Change	1.04
Swing	1.91

Accept or lean towards: epistemic

6.87%

5.4%

1.47

1.49

2009	6.87%
2020	5.4%
Change	1.47
Swing	1.49

Accept a combination of views

6.02%

3.4%

2.62

2009	6.02%
2020	3.4%
Change	2.62

Accept an alternative view

2.15%

3.86%

1.71

2009	2.15%
2020	3.86%
Change	1.71

The question is too unclear to answer

1.4%

2.31%

0.91

2009	1.4%
2020	2.31%
Change	0.91

There is no fact of the matter

0.21%

1.08%

0.87

2009	0.21%
2020	1.08%
Change	0.87

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

3.01%

6.79%

3.78

2009	3.01%
2020	6.79%
Change	3.78

Agnostic/undecided

3.44%

7.72%

4.28

2009	3.44%
2020	7.72%
Change	4.28

Skipped

0.86%

0.46%

0.40

2009	0.86%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.40

Other

0.43%

0.77%

0.34

2009	0.43%
2020	0.77%
Change	0.34

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931

Zombies: inconceivable, conceivable but not metaphysically possible, or metaphysically possible?

Option

2009

2020

Change

Swing

Option

Accept or lean towards: inconceivable

16%

13.12%

2.88

-1.23

2009	16%
2020	13.12%
Change	2.88
Swing	-1.23

Accept or lean towards: conceivable but not metaphysically possible

35.55%

36.88%

1.33

2.98

2009	35.55%
2020	36.88%
Change	1.33
Swing	2.98

Accept or lean towards: metaphysically possible

23.31%

19.91%

3.40

-1.75

2009	23.31%
2020	19.91%
Change	3.40
Swing	-1.75

Accept a combination of views

1.4%

0.93%

0.47

2009	1.4%
2020	0.93%
Change	0.47

Accept an alternative view

0.54%

1.54%

1.00

2009	0.54%
2020	1.54%
Change	1.00

The question is too unclear to answer

4.3%

5.25%

0.95

2009	4.3%
2020	5.25%
Change	0.95

There is no fact of the matter

1.29%

2.16%

0.87

2009	1.29%
2020	2.16%
Change	0.87

Insufficiently familiar with the issue

9.02%

8.64%

0.38

2009	9.02%
2020	8.64%
Change	0.38

Agnostic/undecided

6.55%

9.57%

3.02

2009	6.55%
2020	9.57%
Change	3.02

Skipped

1.07%

1.54%

0.47

2009	1.07%
2020	1.54%
Change	0.47

Other

0.97%

0.46%

0.51

2009	0.97%
2020	0.46%
Change	0.51

N (2020) = 648
N (2009) = 931