The art of asking questions

General Philosophy
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Hello fellow thinkers!

Philosophy has taught me a lot and left me with a lot of questions. One thing that philosophy has taught me is the ability to ask questions. Asking questions is in a way, an art or a skill. Something that you learn to develop like all other things. However, I feel that the art of asking questions is being lost. I think it comes down to a few things; based on my experience. 1. The fear of asking. Asking questions can be quite nerve-racking, especially to those of us who are introverted. Asking questions leaves you vulnerable because you are admitting to not knowing something. 2. Compliancy. We are often expect to be compliant with certain things because asking questions can be interpreted as a form of retaliation.

The fear of asking questions is quite concerning. These skills don’t seem to be honed which causes things such as miscommunication and lack of understanding. Asking questions has been morphed into something that rivals current knowledge; something that is combative or undermining (or maybe it was always like this). However, asking questions is not combative, it is used as a tool to foster understanding, knowledge, and the pursuit of fulfilling curiosity. I know that this isn’t the intent of all questions (maybe the intention behind questioning has been lost?)

The reason I call this an art is because of the precision and beauty of asking questions. Questions are like poetry or a painting, it is something that is formulated and articulated with elegance in my opinion (even though some questions can be, well… you know).

I’m curious as to what you guys think of this and the current state of affairs in regard to the art of asking questions. I am just a fool trying to understand what cannot be understood, so I am open to any and all thoughts.

Unfinished thought: Maybe asking questions is only half of the puzzle. Maybe understanding questions is the second half.

4 Likes
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Welcome! @Lime :slight_smile:

Excellent questions about questions. So much depends on the context and circumstance. As requested, here are a few of my thoughts:

Going in blind, not knowing the author, but listening with focus, sometimes.

I read a post or text, with questions in my mind.
Is it true that…?
Do I agree?
How can I contribute?
I think of the 5 W’s and H questions.

I think you are right, there is an art. Possibly creative/poetic, sometimes aggressive. All kinds of everything.

Here, it is most usually thoughtful with experience and reflective skill involved. I enjoy the mix of imaginative articulation.

Personally, my natural curiosity needs to be reigned in a little. Too much, too soon. Overwhelming.

I attempt focus and an awareness of how others might be. Knowing that TPF is a safe place to be is a good starting point.

I like the way you think. Yes, it is a tapestry of colours. A rainbow in the sun and rain. A clap of thunder and sizzling spark of electrical storm.

In practice, I’ve found it helpful to observe responses, replies and reactions.
However, that kind of preparation is not always possible.

When stressed, our minds are not quite as objective or stable. We can be all over the place with a mix of emotions.

I thought of the fear and anxiety in medical situations. Not only in patients but relatives and even the professionals.
You are right, vulnerability is involved re personal identity and status.
It seems that false assumptions play their part, like: Professionals are Gods, they know best, they are too busy to pay attention to my silly questions.

It is not easy to ask questions when professionals are defensive (for whatever reason) or ‘clients’ seem to be attacking.
There are issues of confidence and time.

The reasons for asking questions need to be made clear. The right and succinct ones are essential to gain essential information, from all sides.

Thankfully, there are more ways than ever to discover answers to questions.

However, I think more can be done so that humans can build effective relationships, become more articulate. To discover elegant expression. For me, still a work in progress.

Yes, in philosophy, understanding why we ask the same old questions, analysing theories; understanding human concepts, and aspects of life and death.

The interactions with the ancients and moderns, people and language, certainty and doubt.
So many questions…
Thanks for a beautiful start. :folded_hands: :hibiscus:

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Missed this piece of curiosity:

In what respect? :thinking:

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I found myself thinking of Pirsig’s book ‘The Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’.

How asking questions can lead to insanity, torture or death.

The ‘dangerous’ ideas of philosophers, activists, journalists; their voices silenced or hidden. Forced to keep safe.

Suddenly, I think of the art of Kierkegaard - his pseudonyms and indirect communication. Opaque philosophers who employ skilful strategies. Using coded or symbolic language to question.
How this can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretations. More questions.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘the current state of affairs’.
In world politics?
…

I found this article:
3 Universal Risks Of Asking Questions And How To Overcome Them

It is easy to ask hard questions in a philosophy forum. Quite another to actively engage in risky, life-threatening situations.
We can’t all fight physically, nor would we want to…

Isn’t that why the fearful, cowardly, bullying authorities turn their attention to public arts? To decimate quality values.

Philosophy, paintings and poetry ask provocative questions. They show relevant historical and current issues.
Human progress, civilisations and people are being destroyed so as not to see or hear the important questions.
The What, Who, Where, When, Why and How.
We need to know…

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Nice. And philosophical questions have an aspect that is perhaps unique: It’s by no means clear that any given phil question is answerable, or that answering the question is the point of posing it. The history of Western philosophy certainly suggests that it is not a science, in the sense of a discipline that solves problems and progresses. This invites us to ask, What other purposes may be served by the posing of questions?

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by posing questions one can reinforce their beliefs and convince others with their beliefs, done in literature by e.g. writer asks a question with an obvious answer to the reader. the obvious answer is the writer’s beliefs and by having the reader answer the question the way writer intended the writer has reinforced their beliefs.

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The art of asking questions is critical. But I suspect it only works if you have also mastered the art of deep listening.

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Indeed.

But the issue doesn’t end there. When you lose the chance of asking a question, you would probably regret it afterwards. I also felt the anxiety of asking when I was in need of doing so. As you stated, it is related to introversion. However, I have learned with time that maturity is an important tool that helps us to manage these emotions.

For example, when you are a kid, you are afraid of asking how to multiply −6 × 3 because you are worried that perhaps you would disappoint your teacher and your classmates would think that you are stupid.

However, when you are an adult, you learn that you precisely learn new topics and acquire knowledge because you ask questions.

So, it takes time to reach the art of asking questions.

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and understand. Hence, the importance of:

Now, ask what that is…