Any Questions?

Without Questions There Can Be No Answers

Questions need to play a larger role both in education and life. The entire educational system is obsessed with ‘answers’. From elementary grades to post graduate work success is measured by the correctness of ‘answers’. To a large extent the ‘answers’ are simply the regurgitation of ‘facts’ provided by the instructor or textbooks.
Students need to be encouraged to question the ‘facts’ presented to them. Instructors need to humble themselves and admit that much of what is presented is open to interpretation and revision. Students should be challenged to look for alternative explanations and theories.
For example a student may be presented with the following information on ‘magnets’
“When two magnets are brought together, the force will attract the two magnets together if the poles are opposite,”
The student should be encouraged to ask, “Why?” and be prepared to question further the stock answer that is often a “fig-leaf’ phrase. What is a ‘fig-leaf phrase’? It’s a statement that masks one’s ignorance. For example a child may ask, “Why does the pen drop to the floor?” The typical ‘fig-leaf’ response is, “gravity”. This explains nothing. The child should be encouraged to ask, “What is gravity?” A standard response might be, “Gravity is a force. Large objects attract smaller objects and because the Earth is very large and the pen is very small the gravitational force of the Earth pulls the pen towards it.” That is helpful but again the question needs to be asked, “Why?” At some point the admission, “I don’t know” should be forthcoming.
Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. You must question the very validity of your existence. “To be or not to be” was Hamlet’s great dilemma. You do not need to continue your daily routine right up to the grave. You can change your life and make a positive contribution to others; you need not accept the status quo. Is your life meaningful? Is your work gratifying? Are you making a contribution to society? Are you making others happy? Is your government working for you? How will you be remembered after you’re gone?
Adopt a questioning attitude rather than making a conditioned reflex response based on cultural norms. Examine group mores related to such concepts as marriage and weddings, death and funerals, democracy and elections, heaven and hell, space and beyond.
Euripides said, “Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.”