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Against rhetorical questions

 


I've decided that I'm against rhetorical questions. They are a lousy turn of phrase and they're almost always of use only to someone who is up to no good, who is seeking obfuscation rather than clarity. 

Say what you mean say I!  And ask what you mean to ask. But don't ask what you mean to say.

"What's the problem with kids today?" If someone "asks" that, and I try to answer it, "many of the politically conscious of them are understandably worried that..." I am often interrupted by, "But didn't you realize I was asking rhetorically?"

"Well, I think the question warrants an answer...."

"AH so you admit not knowing what a rhetorical question is!"

 I admit to knowing who a jackass is when one presents himself.

I can also recognize a wildly anti-pragmatic use of language. 

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Comments

  1. HenrySeptember 20, 2023 at 7:20 AM

    "AH so you admit not knowing what a rhetorical question is!" is a stupid remark, because it overlooks that "Well, I think the question warrants an answer...." implies "even though it is rhetorical."

    ReplyDelete
  2. HenrySeptember 20, 2023 at 7:50 AM

    No question is rhetorical in itself. The intention of the person asking it makes it rhetorical.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Paul D. Van PeltSeptember 21, 2023 at 8:41 AM

    I'm with the blog on this one. Intention may either be good or bad. Ignorance tends to be forever.

    ReplyDelete

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