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Course:

The art of thinking

Module 2: Asking the Right Questions

Welcome to Module 2 of our thrilling expedition into the realm of masterful thinking! In this module, we're venturing into the intriguing realm of questioning, where curiosity becomes our compass, guiding us towards insights and unleashing the full potential of our minds.

Asking the right questions is the fuel that ignites our thinking process. Just like a detective searching for clues or a scientist unraveling the mysteries of the universe, our inquiries pave the way for profound discoveries and deeper understanding.

So, why are questions so vital to our thinking journey? Well, it's simple! Questions act as powerful mental triggers and guides, prompting us to explore in a particular direction. When a well phrased and good question for a particular situation is asked, our minds get proper direction and can begin working in the right direction. Unclear and irrelevant questions only serve to waste our energy, and causes frustration.

There are an infinite amount of questions one could ask, so it's natural to feel a bit intimidated by it all, so let's go through some examples. Let's begin with some questions to ask when thinking about human behavior. For example, if someone did something bad, and you want to evaluate their character, a good question to ask is "Did they know it was wrong to do?" This helps us think about if they were aware of the moral implications of their actions, shedding light on their character. Another valuable question to consider is, "What were their alternatives?" This helps us gain insight into their mindset and the reasons behind their actions.

However, it's important to acknowledge that you don't have all the information regarding a person's mental state, can't read their mind, and human behavior is a very complex subject, so be careful in the conclusions you draw from thinking about what goes on in other's minds.

It's also important to note that not all questions are created equal. Some questions may be biased, leading us down a predetermined path. Others may be irrelevant or shallow, hindering our thinking process. Therefore, we must exercise caution and consider the broader context when formulating our inquiries.

The forming of good questions can be difficult. To help you think up some good ones, we will spend the next module exploring various techniques and frameworks for asking effective questions.

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