Do you answer questions or debate why the question was asked?

It depends on what is appropriate. If someone asks a question that is based on a false presupposition, then it is both legitimate and logical to point out that the question is flawed. In fact, it would be misleading to answer a poorly conceived question without bringing attention to the fact that it was poorly conceived.

Consider the classic example: “Have you stopped beating your wife?” To answer “yes” is to imply that you used to beat your wife, but have stopped. To answer “no” is to imply that you still beat your wife. The correct way to address the question is to point out that it contains a false presupposition: that you have ever beaten your wife.

Questioning the question can often be just as enlightening as answering it directly. It is illogical to think that questions should just be answered when so many of them rest on assumptions that are themselves questionable—or even just plain false.

What is the reasoning behind asking this question?

What’chu talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?

@SavoirFaire Consider the classic example: “Have you stopped beating your wife?” To answer “yes” is to imply that you used to beat your wife, but have stopped. To answer “no” is to imply that you still beat your wife. The correct way to address the question is to point out that it contains a false presupposition: that you have ever beaten your wife. However, if there were a question asking about if or how you beat your wife, kick your dog, smoke your dope, etc, and you never have done that so you could never have stopped doing it, and are not doing it at present, would be a question that didn’t apply to the reader at all. If it doesn’t apply to the reader why would the reader feel the need to point out that it doesn’t apply to them? They could just ignore the question and move on to a question that does apply to them. That would be a bit more logical, wouldn’t you think?

I don’t debate why it was asked. I do know though, there are hidden questions in a question. I do it myself.

@Hypocrisy_Central If the question really is asked in a straightforward way, then I agree that it would make more sense to just leave it alone. Many of the questions asked here are asked in loaded ways or otherwise doused in agendas. Moreover, many people think they are asking straightforward questions when they are not. Without any specific examples on offer, then, I can only speak in generalities. Some questions are poorly conceived, some answers are off-topic. It happens.

Sometimes one and sometimes the other . “Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.”

I do it to be the other voice. Up in here it is pretty easy to do. Mainly answer ,then debate why you all answered.

I answer what is asked, and if something confuses me or makes no sense, I will question it, but always in accordance to what is actually being asked. I try not to stray too far, although I permit myself to do so after I respected the question.
That said, hearses are cool. I want one. well, some day, I might be in one!

More often than not though, I just leave some random, stupid remark, because that’s the only time I get any street cred up in this bitch.

I mostly just take the piss, where it’s deserved of course.

Depends on what the question is, how it’s asked, and in what section.

As others have said, it depends on the question. I will say that there are a couple of jellies who tend to ask questions that I’m more likely to question than answer.

Consistency is a hobgoblin.

Debate is fun and productive.

If I choose not to answer questions I believed were based on a false premise or were inherently misleading I would be suppressing my voice to my belief to detriment of the poser of the question and to the people answering and reading the question.

Too me it is much more respectful to the questioner to credit them with enough reason to be capable of reevaluating their original assumptions.

I also expect the same response to my questions.

OMG, why did you ask this question?