One Question to Spark a Thousand

[Lemieux Dashing]

What one-worded question can spark a thousand more?
What comes to mind when you FIRST hear the question:


WHY?







----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a real question, I'm not just being random!
I know it may be hard to believe, but it would be really, really helpful if you could please answer the question.
I swear this does pertain to an import "mental survey" I'm conducting.
You wouldn't deny a Humanist his quarry,would you?

Thank You Very Much!
-Dashing

[Darth Cluich]

Why did I bother reading this thread?

[Lemieux Dashing]

Harsh, but I'm noting it anyway.

Thank You,
Dashing

[Lycan_bites]

Well, because it is...

[Hagakure]

WHY?


Oh, the irony! The irony!

[DarkWolf]

WHY is not a valid one-word question unless put into a proper context (general as an enquiry into an action or as a response within a conversation). Actually, if you want to get into semantics, "why?" is not a valid single-word question in any form of context. However we still use it as single-worded question to correspond with the previous context already brought up through action or conversation.

Without that previous context the question becomes meaningless as the nature of the word "why" does not allow it to build any context as a single word. However you can give it context when placed into a sentence:

"Why are you wearing those sunglasses?"
"Sam felt that pressing the self-destruct button would serve the greater good; that is why he pressed it."

However, simply saying "Why?" as a start of a conversation has no context. It is not valid by any degree of communication. It can be used as a response (example below) but that means it uses the already built context:

Sam: "I'm going to press the self-destruct button."
Dave: "Why?"

Your question "Why?" as a single statement doesn't indicate, build, or refer to any form of context thus is an invalid use of the word.

Philosophy is more than asking a single question and is definately more than one invalid question.

Your post was not only a failed attempt of decent discussion but also failed at philosophy and even failed as a use of language.

Thread closed.