What is a Beautiful Question?

That’s a big part of what I’m exploring on this site and in my book A More Beautiful Question.

It’s entirely subjective, of course. A question could be considered “beautiful” for all kinds of reasons. But from my own perspective, I’m partial to big, ambitious questions—and more specifically, questions that can be acted upon.

Here’s a passage from the book, which clarifies my take on questions:

 A beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something—and that might serve as a catalyst to bring about change.

That definition makes clear that this book is not about grand philosophical or spiritual questions—Why are we here? How does one define “good”? Is there life after death?—all of those great questions that spark endless, impassioned debate. … The focus here is on questions that can be acted upon.

In my research, I’ve come across many breakthrough ideas or new ways of thinking that can be traced back to a beautiful question. In this section, I’m featuring a few of those stories—just click through each graphic below to find out what was created because of that question. (You’ll find many more of these fascinating “question stories” in the book.)

Meanwhile if you want to know what MY beautiful question is these days, or read some other people’s Beautiful Qs, visit the What is Your Beautiful Question? page (and feel free to submit one of your own).

Beautiful Questions Gallery