In Search of Ignorance
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the world. There is no such thing as a dumb question.
If only! So many questions aim to demonstrate how smart the asker is, to tweak an interlocutor, or to shut down a line of conversation. These are dumb questions.
A good question aims to cure some form of ignorance, usually, though not always, that of the asker. Ignorance is the price of entry for learning, and as uncomfortable as that may be in the asking, a good question depends on it.
So don’t shy away from your ignorance. Don’t be embarrassed by it. Seek it out and use it to formulate good questions! You’ll become wiser for it.