I ask this question because it so often happens that the answer chosen as 'best answer' would not be chosen by someone who had any familiarity with the subject. When this happens it is often the simplest answer that is favored (the one that requires the least thought to evaluate). Anyone who knows philosophy knows it is rarely if ever about simple, one-liner answers.
The present question might be given either a philosophical or a factual answer, but I prefer the former :-)
2006-07-24 11:24:04 · 8 answers · asked by brucebirdfield 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
the only qualification for you to select a best answer on Yahoo Answers is that you participate in either asking a question and selecting what you think is the best answer, or by voting on unresolved questions.
You don't have to be 'right' or 'correct' you only have to choose what you what you want to choose as best answer.
So long as questions and subsequent answers are within the community guidelines there is nothing that can be done about what any individuals may think are 'wrong' answers.
I guess that makes this an ideal freedom of speech forum where a person need not bother pretty little head about facts, truth, or what is right. They only need to participate.
Untruths, misguided information, and incorrect answers are all a part of freedom of speech and as painful as that might be for those who prefer a more academic approach to answers this forum will never be a good replacement for a university education.
Also philosophical thinking requires the ability of critial reading, critical thinking and clear ideas of communication, not every one has these skills.
But please do continue to ask higher minded questions and offer higher minded answers. I for one always take the time to read the answers offered for questions that interest me and attempt to offer good answers to good questions.
2006-07-24 12:08:13 · answer #1 · answered by wollemi_pine_writer 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is not simplicity a virtue?
Philosophy is supposes to be accessible to a "normal" man uncorrupted by studying philosophy.
If an answer is so complex it requires twisting your mind around it does not it mean that there is something wrong with it.
Is not achieving a solution that is simple and elegant a highest achievement for a philosopher?
Thus simple answers are often the best, and a "common" man is the best judge for all things philosophical.
2006-07-24 21:22:22 · answer #2 · answered by hq3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The trivial answer is that in this system (YA), it is for the asker to decide which answer helped them the most. The paradigm of question and answer is not philosophical debate, but helpful info (I've got shrimp, but am sick of shrimp curry; what can I make?). Yahoo expressly says it's not responsible for the truth or accuracy or quality of any answers given.
On the whole, my experience here has not been as you say. Often the answers chosen as best are one of the thoughtful ones. When the questions aren't genuine questions, but are just getting people to agree, then you find the short, knee-jerk answers that agree with the asker get the vote.
'Best' clearly does not mean BEST, in the context of yahoo answers, but then I wouldn't expect it to, as this isn't an "Ask the Experts" site.
The final piece of the answer is that everyone feels themselves to be qualified to answer philosophical questions, as they don't realize the value of disciplined thought, and believe "everyone's answer is as good as anyone else's" and there are no standards.
If our educational system taught and valued intellectual standards such as relevance, depth, completeness and grounding in solid evidence and reasoning, there might be less of this phenomenon
2006-07-31 20:12:49 · answer #3 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not qualified to judge on the best answer, I don't think anyone really is past the person who asked it, and that's to say it is only the best answer for them.... As well I believe that if you can't explain your answer for someone so they can get a better understanding of why than you truly have not helped....
I don't know the answer that you are looking for but this however is mine!
2006-07-25 02:56:58 · answer #4 · answered by Mad Reverend 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just the nature of the question is a tough one. I guess it's hard to say- but it really depends on the question. I agree, a deep phy. question answered by a 14 year old while they chat about high school on instant messeanger with other teenie boopers is a little disconcerning. I think the best answer is one that someone truely thinks about and answers whole heartedly.
2006-07-24 18:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by lincoln_browne 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive taken classes in:
moral philosophy
world philosophy
logic
..but i think the last question i asked in the philosophy section was "whats the best way to kill a zombie"
and of course the answer is you have to shoot at the brain stem.
2006-07-24 19:22:30 · answer #6 · answered by sean_mchugh6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
waxing poetic doesn't change the fact that no one is truly qualified to judge anyone.
2006-08-01 16:57:29 · answer #7 · answered by Enya Mau 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question.
2006-07-24 18:32:49 · answer #8 · answered by The Witten 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋