The Right Kind of Questions

"Those who wish to succeed must ask the right preliminary questions."
ARISTOTLE, METAPHYSICS, II, (III), I.

"When a problem is properly stated, in our epoch, it inevitably finds its solution"
LE CORBUSIER, TOWARDS ARCHITECTURE

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/mark_applebaum_the_mad_scientist_of_music.html

The wrong kind of questions focus on the appearance; they are superficial.  

- "What is music?"  "What is art?"  "What is democracy?" etc.
- "What's the answer?"
- "How do you fix this?"
- "How do we make more money?"

These questions are devoid of will and passion.  These questions only seek approval, but do not care for truth.  Because these questions do not think much of truth, there can be no life to these questions.  Answering these questions changes nothing.  The result is lifeless.

The right questions are directly related to who I am / we are:  our weaknesses, our desires, our passions, our vulnerabilities, our lives.  

- "Is it interesting to me?"
- "What do I really want?"  "Why do I want it?"  "Why do I like it?"
- "What will make me grow?"  "What is hindering my growth?"
- "What is the problem?"  "What is the need?"
- "What works?"  "What doesn't work?"
- "How should we spend our money?"

The right questions are interested in the true nature of things.  The true nature makes one feel naked, embarrassed, and vulnerable.  Yet, because it is true, it breathes life into everyday living.  And if one is alive, one shall grow.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html