Why do people allways reply to questions with another question?

Question

For example

If I were to ask:
why do liberals belive in _______?

Instead of replying with an answer they might say:
Well why do republicans believe in______?

They reply with another question instead of an answer.......

Why do people do this?

or another example is when you ask something somebody will reply with:
Why do you ask stupid questions?

lol..... I expected to get some answers like that.

Answer 1

Do they? :)

I suppose most people who do this do it because either they don't know why they believe what they believe, or because they don't want to admit to you exactly what they believe and why. It's an evasion tactic, whether conscious or unconscious.

Answer 2

The reason is fairly obvious. The form of the question suggests a motivation on your part, and also suggests that the motive is stronger than your desire for general knowledge. So, people are responding to what they perceive as the underlying motive—which they may be perceiving as threat or belittlement—in a similar manner. They're trying to "answer" your question in the same way a challenge is "answered," in kind.

Furthermore, your questions are open to at least a two readings, because of the use of the word "why." You might be asking for the logical, factual basis for a certain belief. On the other hand, you might be asking about the personal, emotional impetus behind a position. You could try to write clearer questions.

The next time you want to know the facts behind what people believe, ask more directly. Instead of saying, "Why do liberals believe in human dignity and the right to self-government?" just ask, "What is the logical basis for the idea of human dignity?" or "What are the best reasons to support a belief in the right to self-government?"

Answer 3

Sometimes someone needs to be asked a question about their question to realize they don't have all the right in asking their question that they believed they did. Because I can't really answer the question, so I'll see if you can anwer yours and shed some light on me and show me what you believe to see if maybe it makes any sense at all, so I can think the same as you. Sometimes the best answer to a question, is another question.

Answer 4

Perhaps the reason they do this is one of two reasons: to both annoy you and try to be funny (as you can many have done already) or because they may not have the answer to your questions. With the latter then, as opposed to simply saying “I did not know – or better – not answering at all, they revert to asking you a similar question or the one you just posed to them.

Answer 5

Are you asking me?

Just kidding.

Look, it's just human nature to often answer a question with another question. It's called discussion. Obviously, Yahoo! Answers is being used in ways which it was not meant.

But a question can be answered properly with another question. We all do it. But usually, the answer/question is rhetorical.

Answer 6

well seeing as we are all getting 2 points here for nothing hehe

I feel it is important that I ask, what makes you think a answer with a question is in fact not ans answer?

for example: what colour is the pen?
answer: blue?

the question mark could mean the person is just not sure...

see what I mean? ;)

Answer 7

By answering a question with a question, people are meant to examine the assumptions in their own questions. It's a simple form of debating as I recall.

Sometimes though people are just being smart allecs. :P

Answer 8

It's also a way to get our questions asked without spending the points.

Answer 9

I dont know ..... I guess they feel by asking a person a question back they can reply ...in a better way

Answer 10

It's to let the person asking the question think before questioning something again...Like, why are Muslim_______? Why are christians______? To make the person asking realize that the topic that he was asking applies to others especially when its offending.

Answer 11

it's because the other question poses a challenge. it's like saying are you stupid enough not to know the answer to that?
but an easier way out is... they don't know the answer.
like i ask you "where did they first serve ice cream?" because you don't know, you'll say "where?"