[lit-ideas] hypothetical?
- From: Eric Yost <mr.eric.yost@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:34:35 -0500
Is the question
"May I ask a hypothetical question?"
itself a hypothetical question?
Doesn't that question above ask, in effect:
"If I were to ask a hypothetical question, would you be receptive to it?"
So is it a performative statement/question?*
_______
*Backstory:
Years ago, when walking home from work, I frequently encountered a lady
trying to beg money outside an OTB establishment along my route. Living
in NYC, one develops a sense of who to help or avoid.
Her begging spiel always began with, "May I ask you a question?" which
was intended to draw people into her subsequent request for money.
One day, I answered, "You already have." and walked on.
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