The 'who' and the 'how'...?

Question

I answered a question earlier today that reminded me of a movie quote:

"...The 'who' and the 'how' are just window dressing. Keeps us from asking the important question, 'why'."
-- Mr. X from "JFK"

I started thinking, "Is this the reason so many people have the perceptions about life that they maintain"?
I am curious to see what you guys think.

[to spartaworld.combat] The quote is from the movie and I had nothing to do with its writing. If you have issue with it ,I suggest you contact Olliver Stone. And while I agree that 'what' is also a valid part of the equation, I only stated the quote as a reference as to what started the thought process.

Oh, and for the record, it wasn't the question itself that reminded me of the quote, it was my answer.

Answer 1

If we go back in time , to our childhood , we always asked 'why' as our world was just a small family.. As we grew up and we expanded our horizon , with more knowledge and more people around we had subconsciously added the 'who and the 'how'. . One of the most important contributions we received , in the process of learning the 'why" is the imposition of who in the answer. Slowly we let behind the why and that is why most of us are bystanders in the world. We do things mechanically.

Answer 2

That reminds me of the children's game. You know the one...

"It's time to go."
"Why?"
"Because if we don't, we'll be late."
"Why?"
"Because it takes a certain amount of time to go places."
"Why?"
"..."

There's a reason, I think, why children play that game and not adults. The game almost always reaches a point where there just aren't any good answers any more. Though children may still be innocent enough to believe that all questions have easy answers, adults often become jaded. They know all too well that there are things that they do not know and perhaps even cannot understand even when they are explained.

Adults don't usually need a distraction to not ask 'why'. Most of them stopped trying to ask it when they were ten years old.

Answer 3

It is sad to say but most people don't want to know the what, when and why. It would take too much thought and it would sidetrack them from the gory details. Our society is selfish and they want everything quick. Who and how tell it all to most. Unless they are a thinker and truly want the answer they will be satisfied with just those two. It keeps it interesting.
Examples...
When someone gets fired we ask who got fired and how did it happen.
When someone is killed we ask who got killed and how did it happen.
It keeps the avenues open for gossip and keeps the topic circulating. Didn't you ever have a conversation with someone and as you started to explain something/anything they always say.... well I don't care about that... get to the good stuff. To them the who and how tell all.
At least that is my interpretation.
Very Good question by the way.

Answer 4

It is because in today's world people are only left enough time to answer the simple questions!
How can be answer in it's basic form even without detail

Who is not always easy to answer with truth but we can always find some body to blame!

What, where, and when are only logistic

But Why is such a big question for people in a world of chaotic complexity

Answer 5

Ah, very intriguing question. I like questions that make my head spin. This is one of them. :)~

The "who" and the "how" are easy. They are only on the surface. They are what we need to tell a story. We do not typically concern ourselves with the "why" of it because it is seen as unimportant to the story. Especially if all we want is something to talk about from a "gossip" or "conversational" perspective.

The "why" aspect is certainly more complex. "Who" and "how" are easy to answer. They require no speculation. They are fact. Many people do not know how to deal with "why." Here's my theory as to why that may be true.

Let us examine this from a learning perspective. As children, when we are growing and learning, we are being taught. There is very little "why" involved. You are not encouraged to ask "why." Further, you are not given the "why."

I would venture to say that most people in authority roles relating to children go so far as to discourage "why." They see this question as a means of the child undermining them. Perhaps, the truth of the matter is that they do not feel they can hold up under the "scrutiny" of "why." Maybe, they don't want to have to admit that they don't know "why." Or, if they do know "why," maybe they don't want to have to tell the truth of "why."

Example:

Not factual:
Child: Mom, will you take me to the mall?
Mom: No.
Child: Why?
Mom: Because I said so.
or
Mom: Because you don't need to go to the mall.

Factual:
Child: Mom, will you take me to the mall?
Mom: No.
Child: Why?
Mom: Because I'm too lazy to get off my fat a** and take you.

Very different. :)

So, what I am trying to say is that people are not taught to be critical thinkers. As a result, they accept things as they are told them. They don’t know how to approach “why.” In many cases they may not even consider it as an option. So, to answer your question (finally), yes. And I tried to provide you the “why” of it even though you didn’t ask. ;)

Answer 6

You did not complete the equation of the basic quote. "WHAT" also has a meaning that supports this question.
The who represents a thing, or being that starts the reasoning of the ?. The how is when you react, and the why is a feeling of the right choice. But all this would not be possible unless you know the what ( that) started the process.
Spartawo...

Answer 7

i would say yes, it would have an impact on the perceptions a person develops, one has to look deeper then just the surface, to find meaning to life

Answer 8

I see the point. Who and how are just the mechanics of an action. If you know the why you can attack the root of the issue instead of just the branches.

Answer 9

True
Either
no one has time to answer
or they don't want to.

But it is the most Complex one
And also the most important one!

Answer 10

The goal is to attain to the place beyond the Q's and A's! Be STILL and Know I AM GOD! Peace and Blessings.....