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| == More Examples == | == More Examples == | ||
| * What if there were no such thing as a hypothetical question? | * What if there were no such thing as a hypothetical question? | ||
| * How |
* How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? | ||
| * What if someone had a knife to cut us out of this hypothetical situation? | * What if someone had a knife to cut us out of this hypothetical situation? | ||
| * Which would you rather fight, one queen-size mattress or two single-size mattresses? | * Which would you rather fight, one queen-size mattress or two single-size mattresses? | ||
Revision as of 22:37, 4 October 2007
A hypothetical question is one that is answered only in terms of validity, not soundness. Thus the question is designed to make a number of assumptions, and be answered as if those assumptions are true.
For example, a person may ask: Would you eat the moon, if it was made of barbecue spare ribs? This question presupposes that the moon could be made of barbecue spare ribs, and asks only whether or not you would eat it. An objection based upon the composition of the moon is not an appropriate answer for the question, as that is given to be decided. Only answers such as yes, no or depends on what kind of sauce is available would be valid answers for this hypothetical question.
More Examples
- What if there were no such thing as a hypothetical question?
- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
- What if someone had a knife to cut us out of this hypothetical situation?
- Which would you rather fight, one queen-size mattress or two single-size mattresses?
- Katherine Venable