IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE TO ANSWER A QUESTION WITH A QUESTION?

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IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE TO ANSWER A QUESTION WITH A QUESTION?

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relationship : IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE TO ANSWER A QUESTION WITH A QUESTION?

[+] serious ballot by contragrain
created Sun Aug 27, 06
example:
Question:
Is Abortion wrong?
Answer in question form:
Is abortion murder?

Please NOTE:
Please take the ballot literally! This is NOT an anti-abortion/pro-life ballot. The issue was only given as an example of how one might address a controversial topic by turning it back on the person asking the question.
IF, THEN logic applies.
Please allow me to reiterate the question I'm asking:
Do you ever answer a question by asking another? When is it appropriate/inappropriate?

yes, I sometimes answer a question with a question.
No, I never answer a question with a question.
other, see comment

Ballot #101066 : SEE RESULTS

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COMMENTS:
Voted : yes, I sometimes answer a question with a question.
Sometimes it is completely necessary to answer a question with a question. If somebody accused me of doing something wrong I would respond with "Why do you think I did this thing?". So if someone asks a question which involves facts that are totally bogus it is completely appropriate to respond with a question asking for a justification for the original question. As to the abortion issue. I think it is acceptable to answer a question with a question because it could put the subject into a certain context. So somebody could say "Is abortion morally OK?" and I could say "Do you realise that abortion is murder?" and then the answers could come thick and fast.

by Searchlight on Sun Aug 27, 06 3:26pm [+]

Voted : other, see comment
IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE TO ANSWER A QUESTION WITH A QUESTION?

I don't know, is it?

All kidding aside, I guess it depends on the question. If its one that has no definate answer, I suppose its okay to post a question back. But, overall I don't think its appropriate. If you don't know the answer, you can reply by at least admitting that. Then its more appropriate to ask a question back.

by Beauregard on Sun Aug 27, 06 3:28pm [+]

Voted : No, I never answer a question with a question.
Circles are fun only when they're filled with beautiful women, and that one wouldn't qualify.

by Truthseeker013 on Sun Aug 27, 06 3:34pm [+]

Voted : yes, I sometimes answer a question with a question.
ballot #100757 posed a question

by contragrain on Sun Aug 27, 06 4:04pm [+]

I don't know if I do this, do I?

by FiddleFaddleOnLSD on Sun Aug 27, 06 4:09pm [+]

why do you ask exactly?

by lil_ape on Sun Aug 27, 06 4:29pm [+]

Voted : yes, I sometimes answer a question with a question.
Sure, if you don't understand or agree with the question itself.

by skylab on Sun Aug 27, 06 6:15pm [+]

Who can say?

by cranky on Mon Aug 28, 06 3:35am [+]

Voted : yes, I sometimes answer a question with a question.
Yes, it's often appropiate. A question is often a statement in disguise.

by Lovelynice on Mon Aug 28, 06 4:58am [+]

Are you a lawyer?

by mojo on Mon Aug 28, 06 5:54am [+]

Are you bigger than a bread basket? Mineral, animal vegitable?

by elvislennon on Mon Aug 28, 06 9:05am [+]

Why do you ask?

by Noblese_Oblige on Mon Aug 28, 06 6:38pm [+]

Voted : yes, I sometimes answer a question with a question.
One example of when it is OK to answer a question with a question is when someone asks you a question and you say, "What did you say?"

by forgetmenot on Wed Sep 06, 06 1:21am [+]

Voted : other, see comment
Taking the example I think the 'propper' exchange might be:

Person1 Q: Is Abortion wrong?
Person2 A: To me, that would depend on whether abortion is murder.
Person2 Q: Is abortion murder?

Resonding to the question and then forming a new question. Not many people speak (or write) like this, the original example's like short-hand; the response is implicit in the 2nd question, so we can still understand it.

Useful (in a wholly unconstructive way) in vocal arguments (more in terms of shouting down rather than reaching a conclusion) as it makes your response quicker and gives the other person less time to think

by willistine on Wed Dec 13, 06 11:52am [+]

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