I know that I am not alone in considering questions the most important tool in a person's intellectual tool kit.

So, why is that the case?

Let's begin by comparing propositions with questions.

Propositions make a statement. 

For example: 'Your choice of a marriage partner will impact your happiness dramatically.'

When you hear that, what is the result?

Perhaps nothing more than a nod of your head in assent.

But very little thinking is generated. That's because propositions are not generative.

Now let's ask a couple of related questions. 

Why is your marriage partner so important to your happiness? How should one go about finding the best partner for them?

These questions, unlike the proposition, are generative in nature, and thus promote thinking.

For this reason they are the most important tool in our intellectual toolkits.

I wrote a book entitled 'Are You Asking the Right Questions?' subtitled 'Improve Your Questions; Improve Your Life.'

You can view it here: theotherdavidallen.com