Philosophy of questions
What is the
philosophy of questions
What is a question. Why do we ask questions. What makes a question good or bad. How can we ask better questions.
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The philosophy of questions asks these questions and many more. It is all about understanding the nature and value of questions and applying this to everyday life.
Simply put, it is the philosophical study of questions.
Q - The Hidden power of questions
Q explores the amazing power of questions and how we can learn to use it. On a journey that takes us from the death of Socrates to the dawn of AI, the book investigates how questions have shaped our world in significant and largely unrecognised ways, from the evolution of our species to how we experience the worlds of school and work, to healthcare and law, to our closest relationships.
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The book will be published on 27th August 2026.
Find Lani watson on social media
@thequestionsdr
Lani is on social media as The Questions Doctor (@thequestionsdr).
Every week, Lani release videos and podcasts exploring the subject of questions and how they can be used in different contexts, such as dating, job interviews, research, education, health, magic shows, search engines and AI.
Take part
Take part in philosophical research on questions by completing this short questionnaire, which asks you to think about what a question is.
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Or visit the Question Collection for questions, forgotten and found, ranging from the ordinary to the inspiring.
who is lani watson
Dr Lani Watson is a philosopher based at the University of Oxford. She is fascinated by questions. Her research delves into the practice of questioning and examines how questions are used in everyday life: at work, at home, in politics and the media, in social settings, and in classrooms.
