I thought this discussion could have its own thread. It is based on an exchange between Peter K. and Phyllo…
Some thoughts: many people do not ask questions I think they should. IOW they are speaking without knowing, or are not critical of the statements (orders, demands, explanations) of others. So here, it is a gain to go from the non-questioning state (on this issue or in general) to a questioning one. IOW I am supporting Peter here, so far, though not necessarily contradicting Phyllo, depending much on that word ‘may’ he used in his original assertion.
Then my sense is we all should be asking some kinds of questions regarding something in our lives, given what we know and don’t know. IOW perhaps some ideal finished person who has all the knowledge they need, need not ask any questions or better put, asking questions will not benefit that person. But I don’t know any one like that and so far as I know have never met anyone like that. The wisest people I know seem to have questions they feel in need of answer. They may have answers to questions I do not and/or to more questions than I have, but they still have things they want to know. And they are aware that for some things their own answers are not pat. IOW they are not sure about some of their answers, though they use these as working answers, open to revision. IOW I am supporting Peter here, though not necessarily contradicting Phyllo, depending much on that word ‘may’ he used in his original assertion.
Often when I read debates, especially, but not limited to political ones, I see people running tight ships. Critics of Trump will in general never admit some good position he has (or acknowledge that his position is the same one held by people they like (Clinton and Obama were also pro-wall, though quieter about it, for example) or weakness in ‘their candidate’. This is also true of the other side. Everything is made binary. It comes off as if they cannot question the answer they have, the candidate they have, the position they have (on free will say). I think more questioning rather than team/position cheerleading would be better. So, that’s a kind of support for Peter’s position, with the same proviso.
I think Phyllo can be right also. You can certainly have people who ask questions who are morons. The fact that some people need to ask questions in certain situations can be a sign they weren’t listening, they didn’t try, they think the responsibility is always other people’s, or even, simply and neutrally, their questions mean they don’t know something. If two people are working in a lab one experienced the other not. The inexperienced person is in need of knowledge the other has and may very well ask more questions. This does not mean the silent experienced scientists has less wisdom. Phyllo’s point is pretty clearly true in many situations. In many situations. Of course, it is wise of the less experienced person to have and use questions.
If we are looking at a person as a whole, I suppose I would tend to respect people who are curious and not finished with all that knowledge seeking stuff. Why? Well, I don’t see people who have down pat what I would like down pat. Often they are part of the problem as far as I can see. Though some Zen monk utterly content with his gardening, with nary a question in the world is not someone I care to disturb.