[Essay] Thoughts on the Japanese Language Question: 'Answer the Author's Feelings'

1. Curiosity

Personally, I have no memory of it, but it seems that in Japanese reading comprehension tests, questions often ask, 'Answer the author's feelings.'
Whenever that topic comes up, it is usually accompanied by the claim that 'there is no way to know such a thing.'

This claim itself is something I hear in various places.
The reason I wrote this article is that when I watched a YouTube video, the comment section was in an uproar over this very claim.
From experience, some of my acquaintances have also grumbled in this way.
That is how I remember it.

I understand the sentiment.
The author's feelings are a free matter determined by the author's own subjectivity.
It feels unreasonable to be asked about them in the format of a 'test,' which assumes that they can be derived uniquely with objectivity.

In short,

That is what is being claimed.

Somehow, my curiosity has been piqued.

2. A Toy

Here, for a bit of fun, let's assume the 'negation of P' from the previous claim.

In other words, the 'author's feelings' are supported by evidence within the text, such as specific paragraphs, expressions, metaphors, and logical development.
Also, even when multiple interpretations seem possible, a majority of rational readers with Japanese language proficiency can derive the single most valid conclusion among the presented options based on evidence in the text.

That is what it means to make such an assumption.

Why make such a boring assumption?
It is not that I want to say the negation of P is correct.
It is an attempt to gauge the correctness of P, and by extension the validity of the claim, by verifying whether or not this is incorrect.

What if this assumption is correct?
Naturally, the question 'Explain the author's feelings' is no exception.
In other words, reading comprehension questions are tests of one's ability to infer uniquely based on objective evidence is what it comes down to.

However, this assumption brings to light a serious situation for supporters of the argument.

If we assume the negation of the assumption P, then P, which is the basis of the argument, naturally does not hold.

Since P does not hold, the derived conclusion Q (that reading comprehension questions are unfair) loses its validity and persuasiveness.

Therefore, if this assumption—that is, the negation of P—is correct, it cannot be helped if supporters of the argument are told they are shelving their own lack of ability and finding fault with reading comprehension questions.

Hence, supporters of the argument must reject this assumption.
The responsibility arises to explain that the argument is not a baseless complaint, but has legitimate reasons.

Of course, this is all "assuming the negation of P."

It seems I have found a rather thrilling toy.

3. Playing Around

I myself will likely never solve a reading comprehension question again, nor will I ever create one.
The truth or falsehood of this argument does not matter; I am merely showing a bystander's interest.
It is a truly carefree position.

Therefore, while I have no interest in the truth or falsehood of the argument itself, I would like to indulge in some fantasy from the position that this assumption is correct.

I have already heard enough of the argument that "reading comprehension questions are unfair" based on the "assumption that P is correct."

What if there are people who support the argument even though "the negation of P is actually correct"?
I would like to play with this fantasy.

◆ Ability to Interpret Stories

Assuming the negation of P is correct, supporters of the argument would be unaware that they are shelving their own abilities.
In this case, when they become adults, there is a possibility that they will not have acquired the ability to interpret stories in general as well as others.

For example, even if they watch a movie, it might just be something that is hard to understand and only induces sleepiness.
There is a possibility that they can only consume shallow entertainment, such as movies where the protagonist of a morality play is simply cool.
Of course, this is not limited to movies; it also applies to books, manga, anime, and so on.

◆Learning Ability

Furthermore, when learning new things, there is a possibility that one may not be able to understand what the textbook or the instructor is saying.

At the level expected of high school students, if one still stumbles after looking at the answer, one would have to conclude that this possibility is extremely high.
After all, it is only at the high school level.

◆Critical Thinking Skills

Also, one would likely be unable to verify whether the arguments of others or one's own conclusions can withstand objective evidence, or even if one does verify them, the verification would remain superficial.

How should I put it?
There is a possibility that the ability to verify the 'correctness of one's own opinions,' that is, critical thinking skills, will not be sufficiently cultivated.

◆Constructive Discussion

Without critical thinking skills, criticism of others can only end up being emotional.
There is a possibility that one can only blindly 'empathize' with the thoughts of others or emotionally reject them.
In other words, there is a possibility of becoming an adult who cannot engage in constructive discussion.

For example, there is a possibility of emotionally affirming that 'reading comprehension questions are unfair' without any particular basis.

• The person entrusted with creating the questions is in a position where they would be held accountable if they issued inappropriate questions, and they should normally have overwhelmingly higher Japanese language proficiency than the majority of test-takers.

• Is P really correct? Is the negation of P not correct?

One might skip thinking about these things proactively and just emotionally affirm them.
One might set aside one's own lack of ability and make quite rude accusations against the question creator.

In other words, because of a lack of Japanese language proficiency, one might end up supporting the claim that 'reading comprehension questions are unfair'.

There is a possibility that one has fallen into a very serious problem, a grave situation, without even realizing it.

Huh?
Even if P is correct, or the negation of P is correct, can the claim exist?

Hmm?
In the first place, do answers to reading comprehension questions in school tests and entrance exams that lack objectivity and a single definitive answer really exist?

Hmm.
I've realized something thrilling once again.

No, let's end this fun little game and tidy things up here.
I have no interest in the truth or falsehood.
I am merely a bystander.

4. Tidying up

Of course, this is a hypothetical story, a story of possibilities, a story of delusions, assuming the premise is accepted.
Those who make claims believe that premise P is correct.

It is not good to decide that they are rude people.
That in itself is a rude thing to say.
Surely, if they wanted to, they could present valid evidence.
In other words, I think they possess the Japanese language skills necessary to expose the fact that there is no uniqueness to the answers in Japanese language tests.

If that is the case, there is no problem, and it is justified.
My delusion was rude.
I apologize.

By the way, this blog mainly deals with FX-related topics.
I think one way to escape confirmation bias is to think logically.

Let's give a toy to those who haven't had enough fun.