Ask why to find out the path to the answer if you don't know it. If you already know the path from question to answer then don't bother to ask why. Another reason maybe you don't know the question let alone the path in which case you should definitely ask why. You should also ask why if you want to look like you don't know, and need brownie points. You could also ask why repeatedly just to be a wise acre and annoy people. Still I find myself wondering WHY you ask the question.
Stoic “Why art thou thus insatiable? Why thus unreasonable? Why encumber the world?” Epictetus Stoics rule! Michael
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy To borrow from John Le Carre why is a motivation why is a reason why is a way of life all the best
open your mouth and remove all doubt I guess the last too posts are looking at the old adage. Even if you look like a fool, you only remove doubt when you opoen your mouth. But I think that is a little harsh. Why is also a question little kids ask which annoys people. We're going to the store. Why? To get food. Why? So we don't go hungry. Why? Because we might get sick? Why? etc etc. All the best!
Re: open your mouth and remove all doubt The answer to a kid's why is "Because I said so." No more explanation needed. Of course if there really is an easy answer, I tend to give it.