KenpoDave
2nd Black Belt
I think that very often, "why" is the wrong question. For example, "Why would you spear-hand someone in the throat?"
The answer is self evident. To kill them. Trying to prove a different intent in a court of law will be difficult.
So, the question itself is flawed, yet leads to a discussion of "how" and then onto "when" and/or "under what circumstances." I find that more mature practitioners don't ask "why" as often. That may be because I answer the question as stated, often forcing them to restate what they want to know. I do that because I have found often in that when I am able to state my question clearly and correctly, I find the answer. The question becomes a search for validation of my idea. Often, when I would ask my instructor a question, he would ask me, "Are you asking me or telling me?" I would then get sent to the mat to work it out for myself, leading me to conclude that the answer to theoretical questions is found in real practice.
My father-in-law, a career theologian and academic with multiple Ph.Ds once told me that he felt like he could find all the answers if he could just figure out the right questions.
The answer is self evident. To kill them. Trying to prove a different intent in a court of law will be difficult.
So, the question itself is flawed, yet leads to a discussion of "how" and then onto "when" and/or "under what circumstances." I find that more mature practitioners don't ask "why" as often. That may be because I answer the question as stated, often forcing them to restate what they want to know. I do that because I have found often in that when I am able to state my question clearly and correctly, I find the answer. The question becomes a search for validation of my idea. Often, when I would ask my instructor a question, he would ask me, "Are you asking me or telling me?" I would then get sent to the mat to work it out for myself, leading me to conclude that the answer to theoretical questions is found in real practice.
My father-in-law, a career theologian and academic with multiple Ph.Ds once told me that he felt like he could find all the answers if he could just figure out the right questions.