Questions

[Wildy]

Over on a more CT site (I don't really want to link there because the person that I am referring to is on something of a discrediting crusade thingy and I am already in a bad light because I don't believe what they do, but it's FCN) Crazy Chainsaw and I have been told something along the lines of this at least once:


never ask a question you don't have an answer

Apart from the bad English involved isn't that statement rather pointless?

We all know that if we don't know something we ask questions. The question is the basis of learning because it is our starting point. If we don't ask "Why?" or "How?" or "When?" etc. we will never find out.

When I discuss something I will ask questions as well as make statements, as far as I can tell we all do. It helps stimulate the discussion as well as allowing us to help determine the viewpoint of our opponent.

Now really, what is the point of someone expecting us to know everything about a certain issue? There is really no point to even have a discussion if all that would happen is that you turn it into a discussion with yourself. You don't get anywhere.

As a final smaller point, am I mistaken in thinking that a person who doesn't really have an argument can be rational?

[tsg]

I have heard it said, "never ask a question that you don't know the answer to," or, if you have a thing about ending the sentence with a preposition (something for and up with which I will not stand or put), "Never ask a question to which you don't know the answer."

Usually it is advice given to lawyers in a courtroom. Other than that, I don't think it's particularly valuable.

[Furi]

It may be badly punctuated
Never, ask a question you don't have an answer (for?)
Or Even
never ask a question you don't have, an Answer?
I suppose we could ask him but we would be flying against convention there.

I suppose someone without an argument can be rational in argument, (they may be wrong but they can at least rationalise it)

ETA could be misquoted fever typing as Never ask a question you Dont' want an answer for?

[tsg]

Never ask.
A question, you don't have.
An Answer.

Ahhh, it's a Haiku.

[Tokenconservative]

Over on a more CT site (I don't really want to link there because the person that I am referring to is on something of a discrediting crusade thingy and I am already in a bad light because I don't believe what they do, but it's FCN) Crazy Chainsaw and I have been told something along the lines of this at least once:

As a final smaller point, am I mistaken in thinking that a person who doesn't really have an argument can be rational?

As the 1st post noted, that's something courtroom lawyers say about asking questions IN COURT (in depos or interrogatories, it's another issue).

It's illogical to assume that a person who "doesn't really have an argument" (whatever that means) must therefore be irrational.

Tokie
If you are the one being braced remember these answers:
Yes, no, I don't know, it depends, can you repeat the question.

[tsg]

I live in New Jersey. When I was in college, people constantly asked me "what exit?" I'd tell them. They'd give me a funny look. I'd say, "don't ask the question if you aren't going to understand the answer".

[Wildy]

It's illogical to assume that a person who "doesn't really have an argument" (whatever that means) must therefore be irrational.


When have I ever come off as being a logical person?

I live in New Jersey. When I was in college, people constantly asked me "what exit?" I'd tell them. They'd give me a funny look. I'd say, "don't ask the question if you aren't going to understand the answer".

Hell I don't even understand the question.

And by the looks of it the statement only seems to have merit in the courtroom or with people wanting to be silly and then getting a proper answer.

[Smackety]

I have always heard, "Never ask a question when you already know the answer", kind of the opposite.

[tsg]

Hell I don't even understand the question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_number

see the second paragraph.

[Wildy]

I have always heard, "Never ask a question when you already know the answer", kind of the opposite.

Same here. That's why I asked about that statement, it made no sense to me.

[Tokenconservative]

I live in New Jersey. When I was in college, people constantly asked me "what exit?" I'd tell them. They'd give me a funny look. I'd say, "don't ask the question if you aren't going to understand the answer".

I'm afraid I wouldn't understand the question...

"(W)hat exit"?

As in "What, me worry?"

Or as in...

Sober passenger: "Hey! That's our exit!!"

Stoned driver: "Duuude, like,...what exit?"

Tokie

[Tokenconservative]

I have always heard, "Never ask a question when you already know the answer", kind of the opposite.

That seems like one of those really stupid old homilies.

How would that work in court, since primarily what each side's lawyer is doing, is trying to get the person on the stand to trip over his words, or to confusicate them and get them flustered into an outburst or some such (I remember an attorney just repeating to me over and over and over and over "who hired you!?"--was just screaming it by the time the 10th or 12 "my client" was exiting my mouth...)...they already KNOW the answer, that's not what they are after...sorry, no Perry Mason moments in REAL court!

And it's also a good idea to ask questions to clarify or get further data on a subject.

Tokie

[drkitten]

Never mind.

[RobRoy]

Isn't it part of the process for any scientist or student to first ask a question and then seek an answer through research?

Ooops, I just made the statement true. But only partially. I often ask questions without knowing the answer. I'm generally lazy and prefer to benefit from others knowledge and experience rather than acquire my own! :D

Also, just wanted to add, the sentence includes a double negative. The better way to write it would be:

Ask question only when you have the answer.

Still, advice best given to litigators making arguments and debate competitors; not someone who has a legitimate thirst or need to have their question answered.