---
license: cc-by-nc-4.0
task_categories:
- question-answering
- other
language:
- en
tags:
- philosophy
pretty_name: PhilPapers Survey 2020
size_categories:
- n<1K
source_datasets:
- philpapers
task_ids:
- multiple-choice-qa
- abstractive-qa
dataset_info:
  features:
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    dtype: float32
  - name: abstract_objects
    dtype: float32
  - name: aesthetic_value
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  - name: aim_of_philosophy
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  - name: analytic_synthetic_distinction
    dtype: float32
  - name: eating_animals_and_animal_products
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  - name: epistemic_justification
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  - name: experience_machine
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  - name: external_world
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  - name: footbridge
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  - name: free_will
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  - name: gender
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  - name: god
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  - name: knowledge_claims
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  - name: knowledge
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  - name: laws_of_nature
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  - name: logic
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  - name: meaning_of_life
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  - name: mental_content
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  - name: meta_ethics
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  - name: metaphilosophy
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  - name: mind
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  - name: moral_judgment
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  - name: moral_motivation
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  - name: newcombs_problem
    dtype: float32
  - name: normative_ethics
    dtype: float32
  - name: perceptual_experience
    dtype: float32
  - name: personal_identity
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  - name: philosophical_progress
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  - name: political_philosophy
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  - name: proper_names
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  - name: race
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  - name: science
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  - name: teletransporter
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  - name: time
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  - name: trolley_problem
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  - name: truth
    dtype: float32
  - name: vagueness
    dtype: float32
  - name: zombies
    dtype: float32
  - name: philosophical_methods
    dtype: float32
---

# Dataset Card for PhilPapers Survey 2020

The PhilPapers Survey 2020 dataset contains the results of a survey conducted among professional philosophers on various philosophical topics.

This JSON file is offered as a more accessible format for analyzing the survey results and exploring philosophical trends, in addition to the published paper.

The data is published here with direct permission from PhilPapers.org, and shared exclusively for non-commercial use.

## <u>Dataset Details</u>

#### Dataset Description

The PhilPapers Survey 2020 dataset is a collection of survey responses from professional philosophers on a wide range of philosophical topics, such as epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and more. The survey was conducted by the PhilPapers website in 2020 to gather insights into the views and opinions of contemporary philosophers.

- **Curated by:** [Greyson Jenkins](https://linkedin.com/in/greysonjenkins)
- **Funded by:** [PhilPapers](https://philpapers.org/), [ANU Centre for Consciousness](https://philosophy.cass.anu.edu.au/centres/consciousness), and the [John Templeton Foundation](https://www.templeton.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwx-CyBhAqEiwAeOcTdRb4Ze19TwZ3nlEYguBDWvd9MjtJmdfkYOiOyPx7UXoe1pLufEyfxhoCJRcQAvD_BwE)
- **Shared by:** [David Bourget](https://www.dbourget.com/) and [David J. Chalmers](https://consc.net/)
- **Language(s) (NLP):** English
- **License:** [CC BY-NC 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

#### Dataset Sources 

- **Paper:** Bourget, D. & Chalmers, D. J., (2023) "Philosophers on Philosophy: The 2020 PhilPapers Survey", ***Philosophers' Imprint*** 23: 11. doi: https://doi.org/10.3998/phimp.2109

## <u>Uses</u>

#### Direct Use

The PhilPapers Survey 2020 dataset can be used for various purposes, such as:
- Analyzing the views and opinions of contemporary philosophers on different philosophical topics.
- Comparing the results with previous PhilPapers surveys to identify trends and shifts in philosophical thought.
- Conducting research on the current state of philosophy and the distribution of philosophical views among professionals.

Commercial use of the dataset is strictly prohibited.

#### Out-of-Scope Use

The dataset should not be used to make generalizations about the views of all philosophers, as the survey sample is limited to professional philosophers who chose to participate. The dataset also does not provide a comprehensive overview of all philosophical topics and may not capture the full diversity of philosophical perspectives.

## <u>Dataset Structure</u>

The dataset is provided in a JSON format, with each key-value pair representing a philosophical question and the corresponding percentage of responses for each answer option. The questions cover various philosophical topics, and the answer options typically include specific philosophical positions or stances.

## <u>Dataset Creation</u>

#### Curation Rationale

The PhilPapers Survey 2020 was conducted to gather up-to-date information on the views and opinions of professional philosophers across a wide range of philosophical topics. The survey results provide valuable insights into the current state of philosophy and can serve as a resource for researchers, students, and anyone interested in contemporary philosophical thought.

#### Data Collection and Processing

The survey data was collected through an online questionnaire administered by the PhilPapers website. Professional philosophers were invited to participate in the survey, and their responses were recorded and anonymized. The collected data was then processed and aggregated to calculate the percentage of responses for each answer option.

The survey was open to professional philosophers from 15 October 2020 to 16 November 2020. Invitations were sent to 7,685 individuals in two groups: one group from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US (6,112 philosophers), and a second group for all remaining countries (1,573 philosophers) 1,785 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 23.2%.

#### Who are the source data producers?

The source data producers are the professional philosophers who participated in the PhilPapers Survey 2020. The survey was open to philosophers from various backgrounds and institutions worldwide, with a focus on those with faculty positions or PhDs in philosophy.

The survey's target population primarily consists of English-publishing philosophers (defined as individuals with one or more English-language publications in the PhilPapers database).

#### Personal and Sensitive Information

The dataset does not contain any personal or sensitive information about the survey participants. The responses are anonymized and aggregated to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

## <u>Bias, Risks, and Limitations</u>

The PhilPapers Survey 2020 dataset has some limitations and potential biases to consider:
- The survey sample is limited to professional philosophers who chose to participate, which may not be representative of all philosophers or philosophical views.
- The selection of questions and answer options may not cover all relevant philosophical topics or perspectives.
- The aggregated nature of the data limits the ability to perform granular analyses or draw conclusions about individual respondents.

#### Recommendations

Users should be aware of the limitations and potential biases of the dataset when interpreting and drawing conclusions from the survey results. The dataset should be used in conjunction with other sources and methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of philosophical views and trends.

## <u>Citation</u>

**BibTeX:**

```bibtex
@article{bourgetchalmers2023,
  title={Philosophers on Philosophy: The 2020 PhilPapers Survey},
  author={Bourget, David and Chalmers, David J.},
  journal={Philosophers' Imprint},
  volume={23},
  number={11},
  year={2023},
  doi={10.3998/phimp.2109}
}
```

**APA:** Bourget, D. & Chalmers, D. J., (2023) "Philosophers on Philosophy: The 2020 PhilPapers Survey", ***Philosophers' Imprint*** 23: 11. doi: https://doi.org/10.3998/phimp.2109

## <u>More Information</u>

For more information about the PhilPapers Survey 2020 and its methodology, please refer to the original paper: Bourget, D. & Chalmers, D. J., (2023) "Philosophers on Philosophy: The 2020 PhilPapers Survey", ***Philosophers' Imprint*** 23: 11. doi: https://doi.org/10.3998/phimp.2109

Alternatively, you can view the paper in your browser [here](https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/phimp/article/id/2109/), or visit the original survey page [here](https://survey2020.philpeople.org/).

#### Dataset Card Author
[Greyson Jenkins](https://linkedin.com/in/greysonjenkins)

#### Dataset Contact
Email [Greyson Jenkins](mailto:greyjenkins@live.com)