# The Value of Questions By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-10-12 Since at least the time of Socrates, humans have had insight into the power and potential of asking well-formed questions. The Socratic method is the name for asking a series of questions to uncover understanding. Or, as in the case of Socrates, to reveal the lack of understanding of one’s interlocutor. Historically, wisdom was bestowed more on the person who could answer questions accurately, convincingly, and with the most pleasing style and charm. Little attention or status was bestowed on the person asking great questions. Well, with the one highly notable exception, Socrates. However, the generation of AI chatbots holds the potential to change this valuation. In the age of chatbots, it is the asking of quality questions that is of value. The same or similar answers will be available to all. But the chatbot will only answer what it’s asked. And its response will be generated based on what and how it is asked. The value of questions, not answers, will only increase in such an environment. Do you ask good questions? Sadly, however important the answer is, this is an excellent example of an inferior question. What constitutes “good”? A better question might be, “What are essential elements of questions that can be answered definitively?”. Asking questions precisely is not a skill developed in our culture. It isn’t something we will likely do well in this initial phase of using chatbots. However, it is probably the case that those who ask questions well will be able to use chatbots more effectively. #### Related Items [[Artificial Intelligence]] [[Questions]] [[Answers]] [[Socrates]] [[Value]]