What's With Why?
What's With Why?
This is the not so famous question that no one is asking. And that is precisely why I'm asking it. The question has been asked over centuries, it is out there. In fact, there is a fair bit of information. But you need to look hard. It's waaayyy out there. I have seen it, I have done some reading about it, and it is quite intriguing. The philosophy of "why" is absolutely worth a good Google search if you would like some brain numbing but fascinating thought. There are multiple books, in print and online. What's with why anyway? Allow my musing to entertain your open mind as I explain the importance of a mass societal movement and a return to asking why?
The last of our human inquiring needs with regards to survival, is the seeking beyond an immediate answer. We humans, historically and currently are notoriously talented and very in-tune with our needs for answers to the obvious who, what, when and to where? But, only in the most advanced and evolved human societies, do we focus on seeking the answers around why? Questioning why is, in fact, a human specific ability not seen in the animal world. Naturally, a small section of thinking people throughout history have been interested in philosophical thought, and to them, the question of "why" has been the central plot of all their investigatory questions. However, philosophical, deep, focused thinking is not the requirement here. The reality is, that there is an emerging need for a mass societal movement to question several steps of the "why"system in order to improve all future functioning. Before you finish this read, pause and think about the last newspaper article you read about anything. Think about the last mass shooting report. Think about the last political Trump article, and think about the latest social injustice coverage. I guarantee you, ninety percent of the information you will come away with will satisfy the who, what, when and where. The why will be touched on, briefly with promise to return to the answers in future coverage...and yet, you will rarely see "why" as the focus. Perhaps a few satisfactory touches, but never, never, never is there depth and a continuation of the very necessary questions of one why leading to another. The "why" system, or "why" tree asks the poser, to require several levels of questioning, seeking a minimum of 3 levels of information or feedback. You, and all readers however, have been taught to question "why" to a minimum standard. You have been taught that this minimum is the expectation and are encouraged to continue with a surface knowledge enquiry system that encourages a status quo. Focusing on "why" and not just "how" is often tricky and most often takes too long for any conclusion to be gained, but the reality is, that it can't be left out if society is to move forward. The trickle-out effect of a why tree is crucial to future learning, progression, coherence and prevention. Oh, prevention - a fantastic word linked tightly to "why" that could have a thousand page blog to itself, and I will surely touch on that in a future post. The real issue affecting us now however, is our focus on surface knowledge, a slight awareness, so-to-speak. Society will then run with this minimum and discuss the issues briefly, in a passing fashion and await the next big news to satisfy the human desire for some sort of knowledge that helps them to feel connected, and perhaps to a larger extent, to feel as if they have a small voice. There are serious repercussions to this way of being. With a little thought, this is easy to see.
Society is slowly becoming stunted. Progress of our social systems has potential to be so much more advanced. Evolutionary movements toward all facets that describe success are slower than previous generations. Our outspoken philosophers, questioners, and thinkers sit on the backburner in society, and both disappointedly and amusingly, are often reduced to the focus of social media tweets, memes and repetitive quotes. Outside the box questioning in general is frowned upon, with the presumed assumption that the questioner is ignorant and unaware (funny though, I have found that those passing judgement are a little lost themselves). Those who question "why" are often seen as "shit disturbers", working against the grain. But growth comes from understanding, creating a commonality of purpose and a vision to where we are going. A master plan requires the question why on multi levels in order to be successful. A new policy, a new program, a new law, a new leader and a new treatment are all parts of systems that currently speak lightly to why, and focus largely on the what and how. And, to be truthful, I borrow the term "lightly to why" from other thinkers, and they have defined meaning as - asking only on one level and not allowing the limbs to further reasoning. The true reality is, people are just too busy. They are often complacent. They are sometimes reactionary. They are educated toward statistics. Sadly, they see deep "why" as nonsense, unimportant and a waste of time and money. "Why" is a very expensive question when given the layers of attention it requires to be impactful and relevant. But I promise you, with a little practice, you will see what I mean.
To those of a mind to be reading opinion and thought blogs, "newbie" ones at that, you likely already have a mind that finds the question "why" lining your entire daily observations (at least on some level). You likely capture the what's of what's, the how of how's, the where of when's, then swallow them whole, and spit out the why, often to consume it again with and endless tangential web. You are the people of influence. Some of you are well practiced at this by pure nature, and whether you are an idealist or a realist, you already understand, over all the others, the importance of why. For you who are readers and observers of this sort, are amused by the observation of behavior, reaction and prediction and these interpretations release the buzz of inner thoughts, resulting in asking the very question that keeps humanity moving forward. Without you, without the seek and without the why, progress is stunted, society plateaus and regression ensues. And, if you have not observed before, you are seeing it now, that this regression is happening currently in our daily societal growth (or lack thereof). Everyday, we are forgetting to question deeply. We are forgetting to seek all answers. We are forgetting to ask why, then why again, then why yet again. And so, I am advocating for a 3 tear why tree, that is asked by all of us, and all the time. The decision makers, the voters, the media, the youth, the elderly...everyone with a stake in the evolution of society.
And so now, as you come away with a confused, possibly triggering bit of thought, I challenge you to re-read this blog and after every statement, ask why? Why does she say that? Why does she write this? Why will we improve ourselves and our society by asking why? Why is this important? Then, apply this challenge to your latest humanity/societal/political coverage and ask why after every main point. Only then, will you really understand its importance and how society is sure to evolve further in progressive, positive directions. It will become habit, you will find solutions, you will understand deeply with further options, better advocacy and empathetic solutions. But, we must learn and teach that asking why is completely necessary!
And lastly I ask, with a spark of humor, that you have a little fun and question "why" in all areas of your daily activity. Challenge yourself and go a little deeper than simple acceptance of the everyday. You will find it plays a huge role in every assumption. You may even find it impacts how you view people, interactions and daily situations. Your empathetic instincts will heighten when you learn to ask "why" in every behavior you see. And, when there is no answer for why, research, research, research! And sometime, when and if you become frustrated with the ways of things, Google search "What's with Why?".
