Whether you are in a classroom or even at a social gathering, an interesting conversation could end all of a sudden, with hurt or upset parties and no one wiser for the exchange. Even if you might be sincerely curious to know and also learn alternative perspectives, you must first acquire the ability of asking open ended questions. You can frequently find these on Bibles like Bibles for Children.
Well meaning people can destroy everyone's possibilities of being familiar with a topic of social controversy, because they lack this skill. Effective and also careful utilization of rhetoric, along with an open ended question approach, can open the door to a exciting and comprehensive debate from which everyone gains.
For instance, let's say you are at a party, excited to meet some new and even interesting people. Debatable issues are often, on some degree, delicate in nature. You have loved ones in the breakaway state of Russia and thus have some other perspectives of the reality of the recent Russian reputation. You start a dialogue with a history professor using the following remark. "I think it's just awful how the Russians put soldiers into Georgia, hurting civilian people! What is your opinion?"
If you don't know the opinion or feelings of that professor, you might have put your foot in your mouth. You've started the discussion by declaring your opinion up front. What if that professor is a Russian immigrant, having strong reactions on the Russian situation? You have successfully divested yourself of learning several important historical information that might shed some light on the situation. If this educated person takes offense, the conversation could be brief and uninformative.
However, granted the similar situation, posing an open ended question does not imply disagreement or prejudice on your behalf. You can ask, "You're a history professor and I was curious to learn more about the situation in the Georgian conflict. What's behind this?"
This alternative approach does not state your position, except one of ignorance. Even though the professor may have a bias, he or she will not perceive you as an opponent and will also be flattered that you appreciate the things they know. It's unimportant whether or not this individual agrees with you. Your goal is to learn what they think and know, how they got to their findings and grow more knowledgeable at the same time.
An additional example of the open ended question, used in a strictly social context might concern a debatable movie. "Have you seen Michael Moore's 'Sicko'? I believe that guy's a freak and disgracefully unpatriotic, right?" You've expressed your position, placing the person you are asking in a likely awkward lurch. Not many people of the opposing perspective will probably be rude adequately enough to tell you off. A second loss to your account!
What about, "Have you seen 'Sicko'? I'm concerned about his take on the medical situation. It's getting lots of push." These cases on the use of open ended questions can be a bit heavy handed, but deliberately so. You will see the value of learning, without the need of offending.
Well meaning people can destroy everyone's possibilities of being familiar with a topic of social controversy, because they lack this skill. Effective and also careful utilization of rhetoric, along with an open ended question approach, can open the door to a exciting and comprehensive debate from which everyone gains.
For instance, let's say you are at a party, excited to meet some new and even interesting people. Debatable issues are often, on some degree, delicate in nature. You have loved ones in the breakaway state of Russia and thus have some other perspectives of the reality of the recent Russian reputation. You start a dialogue with a history professor using the following remark. "I think it's just awful how the Russians put soldiers into Georgia, hurting civilian people! What is your opinion?"
If you don't know the opinion or feelings of that professor, you might have put your foot in your mouth. You've started the discussion by declaring your opinion up front. What if that professor is a Russian immigrant, having strong reactions on the Russian situation? You have successfully divested yourself of learning several important historical information that might shed some light on the situation. If this educated person takes offense, the conversation could be brief and uninformative.
However, granted the similar situation, posing an open ended question does not imply disagreement or prejudice on your behalf. You can ask, "You're a history professor and I was curious to learn more about the situation in the Georgian conflict. What's behind this?"
This alternative approach does not state your position, except one of ignorance. Even though the professor may have a bias, he or she will not perceive you as an opponent and will also be flattered that you appreciate the things they know. It's unimportant whether or not this individual agrees with you. Your goal is to learn what they think and know, how they got to their findings and grow more knowledgeable at the same time.
An additional example of the open ended question, used in a strictly social context might concern a debatable movie. "Have you seen Michael Moore's 'Sicko'? I believe that guy's a freak and disgracefully unpatriotic, right?" You've expressed your position, placing the person you are asking in a likely awkward lurch. Not many people of the opposing perspective will probably be rude adequately enough to tell you off. A second loss to your account!
What about, "Have you seen 'Sicko'? I'm concerned about his take on the medical situation. It's getting lots of push." These cases on the use of open ended questions can be a bit heavy handed, but deliberately so. You will see the value of learning, without the need of offending.
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