The glass is...

[Quintessence]

Well? Which is it? This is one of the great questions of life, you know!

Bonus Question (a la @Sunstone): what philosophical positions might each of the answers represent?

 

[Tumah]

...is an extension of that which it contains.

That's my theological position.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

*looks over at glass next to her* The glass is opaque so I can't tell what volume it's at. I should do some research then decide if it needs filling based on the type of liqud and how thirsty I am. Then I should put the glass away so I don't leave messes for my housemates.
See: Utilitarianism.

 

[Sanzbir]

Well? Which is it? This is one of the great questions of life, you know!

It is what it is, and is incapable of being any more full or empty than it already is.

Bonus Question (a la @Sunstone): what philosophical positions might each of the answers represent?

I don't think it's strictly about philosophical positions as much as it is about mindsets.

"half empty"

Pessimism

"half full"

Optimism.

"an illusion or a lie"

Hopeless depression.

"contains X mL of liquid"

Snarky people who like the idea of skepticism and tend to overcompensate to posture at how rational they are.

"shiny and beautiful"

Valley of Wonderment.

"functioning as intended"

Valley of Contentment.

"in need of filling"

Ambition.

 

[bobhikes]

In flux (constantly changing due to evaporation and condensation) an Idealist
The wrong size (Get a smaller glass and It will be full) a materialist
Clear Plastic (If only it were glass) an environmentalist.
Where is the glass a ? is not a glass. a rationalist

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

The glass is too tall.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Constrains the full potential of the potentially flat liquid within!

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

In need of a nice Merlot

 

[Revoltingest]

The glass is too large for its contents.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

From a human factors engineering perspective:

If the glass looks half-full or half-empty in a given application,

you are using the wrong damn glass.​

 

[wizanda]

Well? Which is it?

I'm always looking for where there is more potential... The space provided has potential for use.

 

[Politesse]

The glass has largely contextual meaning, and is therefore an unsafe domain for easy generalizations.

 

[SabahTheLoner]

Hopefully functioning. If not we have a problem.

Also it’s always full... of air and/or liquid.

 

[SalixIncendium]

The glass is an illusory object in my consciousness. Whether it is half full or half empty is of no relevance or consequence. What matters is the contents.

 

[sun rise]

Those of the wrong political party are trying to smash the glass.

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

From a human factors engineering perspective:

If the glass looks half-full or half-empty in a given application,

you are using the wrong damn glass.​

Yes , the smaller one is for a nice after dinner Sabra

 

[Willamena]

Both and neither full nor half-full, empty nor half-empty.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I voted three:

shiny and beautiful, currently performing as designed, and in need of refilling

all reflecting my pragmatic and subjective personal approach to reality.

 

[Deeje]

I prefer the other analogy as I think it's more relevant.

Does my rosebush have thorns....or does my thornbush have roses?

I choose the latter. Though I always view the glass as half full....grateful for at least that much as opposed to being totally empty....

 

[suncowiam]

Well, my glass tends to be full of coffee.