Questioning

Human beings are naturally inquisitive, and the natural inclination to question has been crucial to the advancement of civilization.

It was Copernicus’s questioning that led humankind to realize that the universe did not revolve around the Earth.

It was Steve Jobs’ questioning that lead to a worldwide revolution bringing computers into households.

Our system of justice is based upon questioning. Indeed, it has been said that cross-examination is the most essential guarantor of justice.

While human beings are naturally inquisitive, they are all too often naturally reticent, with their reluctance preventing the question from being asked. If reticence did not exist, it may well be that civilization would be hundreds of years ahead of where we are now!

So the invisible force of questioning must overcome the invisible force of reticence. We may not always be in a position to ask the right question, but we should at least help try to ensure that there is a forum for questioning and we should fully support those who do have good questions to speak up. We should also educate our youth on the importance of making their questions heard.

Discussion

• Have you been in a situation in which questioning was stifled?

• What was the subject of discussion and how did the stifling of questions affect the outcome?