Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 21:56:19 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: why ask why?


Robert,

What is it that you take the question "Why?" to seek as an appropriate
answer?  It seems to me that the question(s) "Why?" is answered in
various ways in various contexts.  Also, and more importantly, the 
predominant presupposition behind the question (i.e., the range of
acceptable answers which are layed out in asking the question) seems
to have changed through history.  For example, "Why?" questions were
"legitimately" answered in scientific contexts once with teleological
explanations, but no longer.  This seems to be an important change in
the meaning (?) of the question.  My point is that, until we are clear
on what the question presupposes (that is _if_ it presupposes unambig-
uously), we should not (as you have) condemn the question as indicating
some sort of metaphysical confusion (or whatever).  Furthermore, I am
interested in knowing whether you see yourself as aligned with Heidegger's
positions in these regards.  After all, doesn't a "What?" question
usually get answered in terms of a being (and hence NOT Being)?  It 
seems that Heidegger's position is the exact opposite of yours, for
you favor replacing "Why?" questions with "What?" questions in order
to get at Being.  But Heidegger, it seems, would have us ask "Why?" in
a less superficial way than has been traditionally done, and end our
fixation with "What?" questions.

Shane Denson


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