How do we choose the best answer?

Answer 1

1) Something that helps us the best
2) An answer that appeals to us
3) An answer that is kinder than the others
4) The first one if all the rest have the same information

Answer 2

Correct spelling for starters. Then content that actually makes sense and answers the question.

Links to other sources help, but those links should come from valid sources. (Not just Wikipedia—although Wikipedia does have it's good points...it shouldn't be used for everything.)

Finally the answers length should cover exactly what needs to be said. No more, no less. I've seen "best answers" chosen based upon length alone, something that I really don't agree with.

It's all about content! That is all. : )

Answer 3

I read all the answers to my questions. The one who gets the best answer is either through the content of his answers/thoughts or when the community is allowed to decide, I choose an answer with many thumbs up!

Answer 4

For me it is a 2 stage process :

1. I scan all of the answers, and see if one speaks to me - if it just "feels" right. If so, I pick it. If there is more than one answer I feel that way about, I let it go to a vote.
2. If none of the answers really speaks to me, I pick the least worst of the answers.

Although it sounds a little confusing, I think that mirrors life. Sometimes, we have to choose between several choices, none of which we particularly like. So, we pick the one that have the least adverse effects, or cause us the least pain.

Answer 5

You chose the one that best fits the meaning of the question--even if you disagree with it. Chosing an answer that best fits your own feeling on the subject is exactly that-subjective. Choosing the answer that fits the theme and subject of your question in the proper manner, even if you disagree with it, is objective.
So, you choose subjectively, or objectively. The choice is yours.

Answer 6

That depends on the question. The wise person will use their judgment, and will NOT pick an answer as best simply because it validates their own previously held belief. The best answer should be helpful, informative, and well thought-out. For philosophical questions, the best answer should be one that makes you think.

Hope this helps! :-)

Answer 7

The "Best" answer to the question should be as that criterion Yahoo sets or terms it: the BEST. The BEST implies NOT SUBJECTIVITY BUT OBJECTIVITY as its best, for it caters to those people who hunger for truth, practical or otherwise. But the BEST should be as much as possible the untarnished truth. In that sense, to judge an ANSWER AS TRUE when it is NOT, is DISTORTING THE TRUTH.

Further, for answerers to MESS AROUND WITH THE ANSWERS OF OTHERS to the question that they don't agree with AND ATTACK THE ANSWERERS instead of answering the questions themselves is UNPROFESSIONAL, not to mention committing the FALLACY OF AD HOMINEM especiallly in an area of Philosophy where every one is expected to be civil and civilized. They have no place in a DEMOCRACY, for only savages do that.

I hope we don't stoop down to the level of savages as is typical of many people in Yahoo. answers. Thank you!

Answer 8

Personally, I choose the answer that not only addresses the
question, but focuses on peripheral information as well.
It needs to be intellegent and well written and if it has wit
or humor, I tend to favor that one over others.

Answer 9

None of us really want advice do we? Don't we just want people who will agree with us? Otherwise more people would go to a shrink.

Answer 10

i use a magic 8 ball