Questions

Questions are complicated things. I believe that questions are generally under-rated, at least in our society, where we tend to focus on answers rather than questions, and on solutions rather than problems. The key to advancing knowledge is generally finding and asking the right questions, rather than coming up with the right answers. At the same time, anyone wanting to manipulate information can achieve the most success by manipulating the questions rather than the answers.

People often use questions as a rhetorical device, suggesting an answer from within the question rather than actually seeking an answer. Raising a question can be viewed as making a statement, especially when the question is related to an emotional issue. Personally, I often find myself having to clarify that, "I do not know the answer, and I am not suggesting an answer. I am truly asking a question!"

Unfortunately, in our polarized, opinionated society, it is commonplace that the questions themselves take on a power of their own. Questions become accusations, and accusations imply guilt. While we officially embrace the doctrine of "innocent until proven guilty", anyone whose name is linked with something is to a certain extent forever tainted, even if it is eventually revealed that they had nothing to do with it.

As a consequence, we become afraid to raise the questions, or questions that might be worthy of at least cursory consideration get quickly pushed aside in an attempt to minimize their impact. This hinders communication, and limits the advancement of knowledge and understanding.

I do not have an solution to this. I am merely pointing out a problem.