Questioning Questioning

What is questioning?

At its basics, questioning is requesting information. But what are the mental requirements to be capable of formulating a question?

If questioning is requesting information, then 1 requirement would be; being aware that there is more information to gain. The concept of knowing that there is more information to gain, may seem obvious to us, but that is only because it's a commonality with humans. 

Take animals other than humans, for example of the contrary; they are known to have nearly never asked a question. There is at least 1 case of a parrot supposedly asking a question, but it is extremely rare, if animals ever do. It may be arguable that we can't communicate with most animals, to know whether or not they can question, but besides the examples of varying primates learning sign language, which are some of the smartest animals we know of, it can also be observed that animals do not pursue information or knowledge. Animals are typically incapable of comprehending that there is more information or knowledge to gain. Animals minds function based on subconscious reaction, which does not take into account the interaction between factors.

The interaction between factors is relevant, because in order to be aware that there is unknown information, the individual must be aware that there is a cause and effect between the interaction of factors. Information represents objects/substances (or factors), so to be aware of more information to gain, means being aware of more factors existing. To be aware of factors existing beyond the current sensory perception and memory, the individual must be aware that the interaction between factors causes the effect of a different resulting factor. Once it is known that factors can interact to cause the effect of a different result, it can be known that there will be other results of interactions. Once an individual knows that there can be varying results to varying combinations of factors, and knows that varying factors are a result of the interaction between varying factors, they can be aware that there are more factors to learn and to question. 

For eg, if a child learns that walking on sharp rocks causes pain, they may then question what other objects cause pain, from walking on. If they are aware that the resulting effect of pain is caused by the interaction of their feet and sharp rocks, then they might be aware of the potential that there are factors other than sharp rocks, which might cause the same result of interaction. Being aware of cause and effect, allows the ability to question what other causes or effects there might be.

Concepts are a relevant part of being aware of cause and effect, since a concept is basically cause and effect with generalized factors, which can be specified if the cause and effect are understood (as I further questioned, in a post from about 1 yr ago; Carry the Concept). Questioning is basically the ability to understand and “carry” a concept. Once a concept is understood in the cause and effect of its variables, it can be carried to alternate factors, and the effect caused by differing factors can be questioned. 

For eg, If the concept of an individual having a name, is understood, then they can carry that concept, to question someone else's name. They are aware that there is information (a name) which they dont have, because they are aware of the concept (people having a name), and question the result (name of which to refer a person) of that concept, if the concept is carried to a differing factor (person).

Conscious awareness of cause and effect seems to be the main requirement to be aware of additional information, in order to have the capability of questioning. It seems that the more information which is known, and the more concepts that are known of cause and effect, the more potential there is for questioning. Awareness of complex interactions of cause and effect, can cause effects of pursuing information of additional complex interactions, such as; Questioning Questioning.