Regardless of whether you are in a classroom or perhaps at a party, an interesting conversation could end all of a sudden, with hurt or even upset people and nobody wiser for the exchange. Although you may be genuinely interested to understand and also learn different perspectives, you have to first acquire the ability of asking open ended questions. You can frequently find these on Bibles like Bibles for Children.
Well meaning individuals can spoil anyone's probabilities of learning more about a topic of social debate, simply because they lack this skill. Good as well as thorough utilization of unsupported claims, coupled with an open ended question technique, can open the door to a lively as well as comprehensive debate from which everyone can take advantage.
For instance, let's say you are in a party, excited to meet some new and even remarkable persons. Debatable subjects are often, on some degree, delicate in nature. You have relatives in the breakaway state of Russia and so have other views of the reality of the current Russian reputation. You start a conversation with a history teacher with the this statement. "I think it is simply terrible how the Russians sent troops into Georgia, harming civilian people! What do you think?"
Unless you know the bias or perhaps sentiments of that professor, you might have put your foot in your mouth. You've opened up the conversation by proclaiming your disposition up front. What if that professor is a Russian immigrant, having strong emotions on the Russian situation? You've effectively divested yourself of understanding several valuable historical facts that might shed some light on the scenario. If this educated person takes offense, the conversation could be quick and uninformative.
However, provided the same scenario, posing an open ended question doesn't imply disagreement or bias from you. You might ask, "You're a history professor and I was curious to learn more about the case in the Georgian conflict. What is behind this?"
This alternative approach does not state your perspective, except one of ignorance. While the professor may have a bias, she or he won't think of you as an opponent and will also be flattered that you value what they know. It's unimportant as to whether this individual concurs with you. Your objective is to understand what they think and know, how they reached their conclusions and grow more informed in the process.
An additional example of the open ended question, utilized in a strictly social context might concern a controversial movie. "Have you seen Michael Moore's 'Sicko'? I believe that guy's a nut and disgracefully unpatriotic, right?" You have stated your position, leaving the individual you are questioning in a likely awkward lurch. Not everybody of the opposite mindset will probably be rude enough to tell you off. A second loss to your account!
Why don't you consider, "Have you seen 'Sicko'? I'm having thoughts about his view on the health care situation. It's getting a lot of press." These kinds of cases on the utilization of open ended questions may be a bit heavy handed, but intentionally so. You can see the value of learning, without offending.
Well meaning individuals can spoil anyone's probabilities of learning more about a topic of social debate, simply because they lack this skill. Good as well as thorough utilization of unsupported claims, coupled with an open ended question technique, can open the door to a lively as well as comprehensive debate from which everyone can take advantage.
For instance, let's say you are in a party, excited to meet some new and even remarkable persons. Debatable subjects are often, on some degree, delicate in nature. You have relatives in the breakaway state of Russia and so have other views of the reality of the current Russian reputation. You start a conversation with a history teacher with the this statement. "I think it is simply terrible how the Russians sent troops into Georgia, harming civilian people! What do you think?"
Unless you know the bias or perhaps sentiments of that professor, you might have put your foot in your mouth. You've opened up the conversation by proclaiming your disposition up front. What if that professor is a Russian immigrant, having strong emotions on the Russian situation? You've effectively divested yourself of understanding several valuable historical facts that might shed some light on the scenario. If this educated person takes offense, the conversation could be quick and uninformative.
However, provided the same scenario, posing an open ended question doesn't imply disagreement or bias from you. You might ask, "You're a history professor and I was curious to learn more about the case in the Georgian conflict. What is behind this?"
This alternative approach does not state your perspective, except one of ignorance. While the professor may have a bias, she or he won't think of you as an opponent and will also be flattered that you value what they know. It's unimportant as to whether this individual concurs with you. Your objective is to understand what they think and know, how they reached their conclusions and grow more informed in the process.
An additional example of the open ended question, utilized in a strictly social context might concern a controversial movie. "Have you seen Michael Moore's 'Sicko'? I believe that guy's a nut and disgracefully unpatriotic, right?" You have stated your position, leaving the individual you are questioning in a likely awkward lurch. Not everybody of the opposite mindset will probably be rude enough to tell you off. A second loss to your account!
Why don't you consider, "Have you seen 'Sicko'? I'm having thoughts about his view on the health care situation. It's getting a lot of press." These kinds of cases on the utilization of open ended questions may be a bit heavy handed, but intentionally so. You can see the value of learning, without offending.
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