Ask a Foolish Question: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Ask a Foolish Question: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Ask a Foolish Question is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Sheckley, Robert (1928–2005).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Ask a Foolish Question" by Robert Sheckley is a science fiction story written during the early 1950s. The narrative explores the philosophical implications of knowledge and inquiry through a central entity known as the Answerer, designed to provide answers to any question posed by the beings of the universe. The story raises intriguing questions about the nature of knowledge itself, highlighting how the formulation of a question can heavily influence the response received. In the tale, two central characters, Morran and Lingman, embark on a quest to find the Answerer, desperately seeking the ultimate truths about life and death. Meanwhile, a variety of other beings also seek answers to their own existential questions. However, when they finally confront the Answerer, they discover that their inquiries often lack the depth necessary to receive meaningful responses. The Answerer, while possessing vast knowledge, can only respond to questions that are framed correctly, exposing the limitations of the questioners' understanding. The story concludes with a poignant realization that without a foundational understanding, the questions posed will inevitably fail to reveal the profound truths they seek, emphasizing the complex relationship between knowledge, inquiry, and comprehension.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Ask a Foolish Question
- Author credits: Sheckley, Robert (1928–2005)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Questions and answers -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Philosophy & Ethics
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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