What's wrong with wondering why?

[buckyboy14]

It seems that everything in the social world that doesn't make sense is just taken for granted by people, be it the concept of swearing or the fact that sex is a taboo subject or anything else. And if you wonder why these things are considered bad, you're looked at like you're weird and are simply responded with "They just are." Why can't people THINK about why these things are thought of in the way they are before just accepting that they're things that shouldn't be done or talked about? And what's so weird about somebody actually trying to be logical and figure it out?

 

[Ereth]

Nothing's wrong with wondering why. I just don't think most people expect grown-ups to ask such questions (and no, that's not fair).

 

[King_Oni]

From my experience the main issue with wondering why things are, and asking other people this, is that it would require them to get involved into something on a different level than they care for. Not to mention some people feel uncomfortable being confronted with themselves, their behavior, their believes, motives and whatnot.

Much like you, I wonder why most things are the way they are. And I can't even start the count the times where I ran into arguments with people who didn't give anything any thought and just went with the flow.

Perhaps it's an aspie thing in that we want to understand things rather than just do them like everyone else. In order for me to support something I want to understand it. This can be the most mundane to the most complex things. If I have no clue why I'm doing this or what I'm getting myself into, I don't want to get involved. I will read the fine print (most of the time) and question motives why they are wording it the way they do.

That all being said, I must also add, anyone who just goes with the "they just are" will not be good friends with me. Those people are ejected out of my life fairly quick. Anyone who doesn't question everything doesn't belong in my life. However, I will say this; I don't want to be this critical thinker 24/7. Sometimes I just like to sit back and enjoy something... questioning everything all day is exhausting. If I were to question things about movies all the time for example it would look something like this; why is this frame the best possible cinematographic choice? Why does this character do this and not that? And the list goes on about these things, that would take away from something that is meant as entertainment.

Though most of the time I'm inclined to wonder and question things. Though I just have to weary not to take away of fun things that are meant for fun and not necessarily for questioning. Afterall, I would also question myself and wonder "why am I even sitting down for a movie? Couldn't I do something else? And if so, why am I not doing something else?"

On the other hand; some things are probably not worth questioning as such. I guess there's a limit of sorts what's worth wondering. In other words; there's a point where "why?" because annoying. Imagine this as a conversation with someone and you asking "Why?" after each answer he/she provides. It can go on forever, but it doesn't help understanding it all. Guess that's a fine line you should be aware of.

The main issue I personally have with this fairly critical view is that it sometimes seems a bit inefficient to get stuff done. I can question my behavior inthe weirdest situations and I'll effectively waste time thinking about it, while I actually am short on time and have things to do. I guess I could go question why I question myself here ad infinitum

I just don't think most people expect grown-ups to ask such questions (and no, that's not fair).

In that case; Why don't people expect grown ups to ask such questions? Why is that not fair?

I'm poking a bit of fun here but I guess it felt right in place with the topic at hand here, hehe.

 

[Vanilla]

I know how frustrating this can be. I question things all the time, and most people think I'm being ridiculous, so I've learnt to try and answer most of those questions myself.

Some things might seem like a waste of time asking about, but I feel that sometimes, simply knowing, can help you better understand other things, and how they work. I like to build a sort of encyclopaedia of my understanding of things in my mind, which I'm constantly adding to, and updating. I find it stimulating, and it eases me when I'm unsure of myself. This has been one of my strategies for gaining confidence in myself, and my actions. It helps me to grow as a person.

I am rather lucky though to now have a good friend, who will indulge me with an intelligent, and analytical, response. We have all sorts of rather interesting conversations, which most people would consider weird. Other than that, I can't really have those types of conversations with anyone else.

 

[buckyboy14]

I don't understand the concept of standing ovations. I was at a type of award ceremony at my school, and while most people were given regular ovations, the students who are going into the military were given standing ovations. I was the only person who remained seated, and my dad got mad at me later because of it. Why does standing up show that you're more proud of certain people than others (which is kind of unfair, as I didn't want to act like I preferred them to the other recipients of awards)? Nevertheless, I guess it's expected that if everyone else stands up, I have to stand up too and act more proud of certain people than others, even though I don't understand why standing is the preferred way to signify this.

 

[Judge]

Why does standing up show that you're more proud of certain people than others (which is kind of unfair, as I didn't want to act like I preferred them to the other recipients of awards)?

Those going into the military may be risking their lives for their country. The others simply received awards. A standing ovation is a demonstrative way of showing differing tiers of respect and patriotism based on actions and accomplishments. Much like acknowledging ranks. It's not intended to be "fair".

Sounds like you just had your first exposure to a form of military protocol. (I was raised in a military family.) It is somewhat confusing for civilians.

 

[Tarragon]

Those going into the military may be risking their lives for their country. The others simply received awards. A standing ovation is a demonstrative way of showing differing tiers of respect and patriotism based on actions and accomplishments. Much like acknowledging ranks. It's not intended to be "fair".

Sounds like you just had your first exposure to a form of military protocol. (I was raised in a military family.) It is somewhat confusing for civilians.

Ahh, a tricky topic - does entering the military automatically entitle you to a "standing ovation"? What about someone who doesn't join up, and dedicates their lives (for example) to helping others in need (carer) or sickness (doctor) etc. Showing patriotism by standing up because you are expected to isn't an expression of admiration, it's a conformation to a social expectation.

There are many ways to better humanity. Joining the military isn't the only one. It seems to be a feature of our current society that military personnel are all "heroes". I know from personal experience that not everyone who has fought in a war wants to be known by that moniker.

 

[Judge]

Ahh, a tricky topic - does entering the military automatically entitle you to a "standing ovation"? What about someone who doesn't join up, and dedicates their lives (for example) to helping others in need (carer) or sickness (doctor) etc. Showing patriotism by standing up because you are expected to isn't an expression of admiration, it's a conformation to a social expectation.

There are many ways to better humanity. Joining the military isn't the only one. It seems to be a feature of our current society that military personnel are all "heroes". I know from personal experience that not everyone who has fought in a war wants to be known by that moniker.

It is tricky. But then patriotism itself is often a rigorously enforced aspect of mass conformity. Of course I have no interest in debating it for or against. Only pointing out that it exists in societies for better or worse.

In the case of the US, it gets even more tricky. It's also a gesture of apology and manifestation of guilt regarding past veterans of the Viet Nam era who were not afforded such respect. Something younger people outside of the Baby Boomer generation are not apt to be aware of.

 

[Loomis]

I remember Heidigger's fundamental question of metaphysics from my undergraduate days: why is there something rather than nothing?

 

[Ste11aeres]

I remember Heidigger's fundamental question of metaphysics from my undergraduate days: why is there something rather than nothing?

Except that Heidegger was simply saying that that was the question raised by other previous metaphysical philosophers, and in his opinion they shouldn't ask that question.

 

[Loomis]

Except that Heidegger was simply saying that that was the question raised by other previous metaphysical philosophers, and in his opinion they shouldn't ask that question.

“Why are there beings at all instead of nothing? That is the question. Presumably it is not an arbitrary question, 'Why are there beings at all instead of nothing'- this is obviously the first of all questions. Of course it is not the first question in the chronological sense [...] And yet, we are each touched once, maybe even every now and then, by the concealed power of this question, without properly grasping what is happening to us. In great despair, for example, when all weight tends to dwindle away from things and the sense of things grows dark, the question looms.”

Martin Heidegger, Being and Time

 

[Tarragon]

“Why are there beings at all instead of nothing? That is the question. Presumably it is not arbitrary question, 'Why are there beings at all instead of nothing'- this is obviously the first of all questions. Of course it is not the first question in the chronological sense [...] And yet, we are each touched once, maybe even every now and then, by the concealed power of this question, without properly grasping what is happening to us. In great despair, for example, when all weight tends to dwindle away from things and the sense of things grows dark, the question looms.”
― Martin Heidegger, Being and Time

Entropy, wonderful entropy

Or, if you like:
The question is a pointless one because if there was nothing then there would be nobody to ask the question. So, the answer to why there is something instead of nothing is simply "because that's the way it is"

 

[Loomis]

Entropy, wonderful entropy

Or, if you like:
The question is a pointless one because if there was nothing then there would be nobody to ask the question. So, the answer to why there is something instead of nothing is simply "because that's the way it is"

I will not argue your point but philosophers have pondered the concept of being since the fourth century B.C.

Your statement is not very far afield from what postmodern and analytic philosophy now believes ie., the essence of being is considered unknowable and not worth asking about. Stellaeres correctly says as much in the post above mine. Nearly all contemporary philosophers disdain metaphysics.

Nevertheless, the study of classical metaphysics is one of my special interests and I suspect it is also for Stellaeres since she has a quote about Aquinas in her signature.

 

[dragonwolf]

Those going into the military may be risking their lives for their country. The others simply received awards. A standing ovation is a demonstrative way of showing differing tiers of respect and patriotism based on actions and accomplishments. Much like acknowledging ranks. It's not intended to be "fair".

Sounds like you just had your first exposure to a form of military protocol. (I was raised in a military family.) It is somewhat confusing for civilians.

I actually didn't know this about military and standing ovations (which is odd, given the number of friends and family members I have in the military, though my parents weren't among them).

Under the circumstances I've seen -- which is after a speech, presentation, etc -- it's a gesture of elevated appreciation for the speech. I higher level of "well done," if you will (especially as opposed to courtesy applause, which are given pretty much for the sake of not looking rude). For example, Greg Baugues gets standing ovations at pretty much all of his talks, because he speaks about mental illness in the software industry, including his own struggle with Bipolar II and ADHD. It hits home with his audience every time, because the mental illness rate in software is so high that those that don't deal with it personally are close to people who do, and our industry has lost some very high-profile and influential people to Depression and suicide.

 

[bentHnau]

People do not like to be induced to think on a meta level. One ends up noticing ugly little things about oneself and/or the world that are uncommonly disconcerting. Furthermore, many are intellectually out of shape and therefore find the pursuit difficult and tiring.

 

[KassieMac]

“Why are there beings at all instead of nothing? That is the question. Presumably it is not an arbitrary question, 'Why are there beings at all instead of nothing'- this is obviously the first of all questions. Of course it is not the first question in the chronological sense [...] And yet, we are each touched once, maybe even every now and then, by the concealed power of this question, without properly grasping what is happening to us. In great despair, for example, when all weight tends to dwindle away from things and the sense of things grows dark, the question looms.”

Martin Heidegger, Being and Time

42

 

[paloftoon]

Wondering "why" can go on forever. You could keep asking it and most people will get tired whether the answer should be obvious or not. Part of it is many people's human nature to not want to know depth that they are not interested in. Part of it is a feeling that you should know a certain amount of knowledge- otherwise it's hard for them to enjoy communication and hanging around with you.