2007-03-08 08:07:52 · 11 answers · asked by The Zunester 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Mechanical
2007-03-08 10:49:12 · answer #1 · answered by truthyness 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a very arbitrary question. That's like saying "what would life be like without pep talks" or "positive reinforcement" or "motivational poetry". A rhetorical question is just a mode of persuasion, just like anything else. It's to get across a point by posing a question that evokes philosophical thought, like "Can't we all just get along?" If it weren't for rhetorical questions, people would just use one of the other hundreds of modes of speech.
A rhetorical question is NOT, like most people think, just a question with no answer, like "What's the sound of one hand clapping?" That's not a rhetorical question. It's just a stupid question.
Your question is not a rhetorical one, by the way, if that's what you were trying for.
I like voodoo's answer. A shorter version of mine.
2007-03-08 16:14:40 · answer #2 · answered by D L 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"rhe·tor·i·cal ques·tion (noun)
Definition:
question requiring no answer: a question asked for effect that neither expects nor requires an answer"
A world with out rhetorical questions? By the above definition I think it would be a life with out variations, possibilities. There would be nothing to ask...
2007-03-08 16:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by wholenote4 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be like life, only without rhetorical questions.
2007-03-08 16:12:10 · answer #4 · answered by voodooprankster 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Rhetorical questions are meant to make you pause and think. This is always a good thing. Hesitation gives you time to re-evaluate.
2007-03-08 21:16:35 · answer #5 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a rhetorical question, I believe. I like your style.
2007-03-08 16:15:06 · answer #6 · answered by howlettlogan 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's a great question, rhetorically speaking !
2007-03-08 16:23:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would be like getting a Klondike bar without having to do anything.
2007-03-08 16:13:07 · answer #8 · answered by I See You 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Much better.
2007-03-08 18:41:12 · answer #9 · answered by ar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you an idiot? wait don't answer that....
2007-03-08 16:18:38 · answer #10 · answered by JF 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋