whats your view about this?

Question

most often people don't come up with a straight answers to the questions asked. in turn they put a counter question.

one more thought, questions in "philosophy" section, can they be really deemed as fitting to that category? i am sure i will not get a straight answer. fine whatever!

2 points wasted

you see, what i am trying to say is coming true already. in spite of the question being vague...can we not answer it in best possible manner? i am sure i can. i am very sure Plato or Aristotle will loathe the questions asked in this section.

hey "April J", that one is pretty neat. i have no ojection to counter questions, but it definitely annoys the asker. whats the point if a question does not get an asnwer?

yes "SotiCoto" i agree. a precise question gets a precise answer. i knew i was vague with "this" question. but its a thought that i figured most people would agree to.

i agree with "uncle billy" too.

Answer 1

The point of philosophy is conceptualization and debate so counter questions are expected to be common.
No, a lot of questions in this category actually should not be here, but that happens with a lot of questions simply because the people posting them don't bother to double check the category they submit it under.
As for your straight answer, ___________________________________________!

Answer 2

How do you convey understanding? Humor, explanation, counter-question, or the old frying pan technique. If you want someone to understand, you must move them a little from the belief they entertain, and sometimes a simple counter-question is a very good way to do this. If you didn't care if the other person were to understand, you would try the frying pan technique.
Philosophy here is a pretty big field and is the catch all category, but that's OK.

Answer 3

Some people look at the questions with many readers in view.
But some questions have to be addressed to the asker, because of the intensity of it.
The question in an answer is a traditional method to convince the asker with an obvious elimination and answer, so as to evoke a better trust at one's own discovery rather than a prompted one. The satisfaction derived too is better. More than anything , sometimes, such a reply-question increases the thirst within the asker, and becomes a catalyst to gain better wisdom, having learnt to assimilate the hidden knowledge within !

Answer 4

Being as I'm more of a regular in the Religion board than the Philosophy board.... and the two are completely separately categorised despite being similar in nature.... I couldn't comment on trends regarding postings in the Philosophy board or whether they are fitting or not.

As for your getting a straight answer to your question... that isn't exactly plausible when you haven't specified what the "this" is that you're referring to in the question, thus naturally you are right in that your query effectively demands the counter-question: "View about what?"

Naturally if I knew precisely what it was that you were referring to, I could give you a straight answer. I rather specialise in giving straight, logical answers rather than being wishy-washy with counter-questions where possible.

Answer 5

I've noticed a number of times where a "question" is posed that really isn't a question. Sometimes it's an inflammatory statement looking for approval, other times the question itself makes assumptions that others are not willing to agree with.

Given those situations, the responder is not interested in validating the original poster but wants to comment. One way to respond is to point out the issue with the question in the form of a question... It is also gentler than bluntly calling out the bias and starting a flame-war...

Whew - that was hard to do without using a question...-)

Answer 6

Philosophy seeks answers to questions. Philosophical answers inspire more questions. Sometimes the answer is implied in the question. Sometimes it's just someone with nothing better to write. Never accept that an answer is the only one, never fear that an answer is there to lead you to more questions, this is how we expand our knowledge, our minds and our understanding. Running out of answers means you must strive for more, running out of questions means you have either failed or have brilliantly succeeded, Most being the former, but believing they are the latter.

Answer 7

It is very difficult and consuming to give a straight answer because it also involves the act of cornering which leads to the self being identified as the guilty one which leads to thoughts for self destruction..This answer does not come from a textbook. It comes from the self taught student and can not be accredited to a college point. A.M.H.

Answer 8

I try to give a thoughtful non questioning answer but sometimes you can't address the issue without asking about the question, or I'll simply reply with a yes or a no.

Answer 9

Questions are not answered directly because the fear that the info given might be used against them - simple mistrust in fellow beings. Regarding counter questions, it is partly stalling for time and when politicians are involved it is almost the rule - adhommonem.

Answer 10

Sometimes a question is the best way to reply to a question.
For example:

Where would you put the questions that you deem as "not fitting" into the philosophy section?