David Bohm asks the Question Behind the Question

David Bohm, Wholeness and the Implicate Order:

In scientific inquiries a crucial step is to ask the right question. Indeed, each question contains presuppositions, largely implicit. If these presuppositions are wrong or confused, then the question itself is wrong, in the sense that to try to answer it has no meaning. One has thus to inquire into the appropriateness of the question. In fact, truly original discoveries in science and in other fields have generally involved such inquiry into old questions, leading to a perception of their inappropriateness, and in this way allowing for the putting forth of new questions. To do this is often very difficult, as these presuppositions tend to be hidden deep in the structure of our thought.

Where Bohm and Miller part ways, of course, is that Bohm is investigating the appropriateness of the questions we ask as a means to expanding our world view and our options, in the effort to lead us to a better understanding of the world and our place in it, and to figure out how to use this better understanding to increase harmony and happiness. Whereas Miller conducts his investigations in an effort to constrict our options to the point of vanishing, in order to increase the amount of wealth we generate for our overlords. Bohm wants us to be intellectually and spiritually curious. Miller wants us to be slaves.