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Thought-provoking questions can be interesting to think about. However, when you add some humor to those questions, they compel you not only to think about them but to laugh as well.
Whether you pose a philosophical question or you're asked the question, the discussion that ensues can bring you and your friends closer together as you find the humor and sometimes the absurdity of it.
What are Funny Philosophical Questions?
Presenting a question that inquires about the fundamental elements of existence, reality, or knowledge, then twisting that question with humor is the epitome of a funny philosophical question. Questions like this often go deep into abstract concepts and can challenge your conventional beliefs.
The best part about adding in humor to philosophical questions, is you add in fun: fun for you and fun for others.
When a question is humorous, it creates engagement by capturing people's attention and drawing them into a discussion about a topic.
Sometimes, putting a funny spin on a serious topic can break down barriers and make a topic more approachable and playful. Plus, laughter is therapeutic.
Philosophical questions that are lighthearted encourage people to think outside the box without fear of judgment.
When two or more people engage in a fun activity, like asking and responding to funny philosophical questions, it can not only elicit shared laughter but a sense of camaraderie among the participants.
35 Funny Philosophical Questions to Laugh and Think About
Now that you know the value of crafting playful questions, here are 35 examples you can use to incorporate laughter coupled with deep thinking.
1. Money doesn't grow on trees, so why do banks have branches?
Of course, we all know that a tree cannot produce money, but we've often heard the phrase that money doesn't grow on trees.
The irony is in how bank locations are named branches, which is a word used in describing tree limbs.
2. Something to think about: why is abbreviated such a long word?
When we think of the word abbreviated, knowing it's an adjective that means shortened or condensed, it's a bit perplexing why the word is so long.
Why don't we just call it ‘shortened,' or would that seem too long also?
3. If a Smurf holds his breath, what color does he turn?
Knowing that Smurfs are already blue, this question makes us think. Although Smurfs are fictional characters, we can assume their color would not change or maybe their blue hue would just be a little darker.
4. If a store is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, why would it have a lock on the door?
This question humorously demonstrates whether there is a need for locking the store. If, indeed, the store stays open all the time, would it truly need to be locked at all?
5. If you and your cat are riding in a car, and you throw your cat out the window, does that make it kitty litter?
While this is a bit of dark humor, it plays on the words ‘kitty' which is synonymous with ‘cat', and ‘litter', which means ‘trash.' Often, we call trash by the highway litter. This play on words makes this question all the funnier.
6. If all the world's a stage, who's out there in the audience?
This hails back to the days of the playwright William Shakespeare and a line in his play, “As You Like It.” The question pokes fun at the idea of, if we're all actors, who is watching us perform.
7. When a bald man gets a driver's license, what's listed on it as his hair color?
If you've ever applied for a driver's license, you know that one of the identifying factors listed is hair color. But if you're bald, is that section left blank? Does it simply say ‘none'?
8. If a ghost can walk through a wall, wouldn't it fall through the floor?
This may make us think of how a ghost defies the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which basically means that atoms block other atoms from taking up their space. (Just try walking through a wall yourself. It can't happen!) Which leads us to another question: do ghosts have atoms?
9. They say that “love is blind,” so how do they explain the popularity of lingerie?
The visual image of lingerie emphasizes the beauty of a person contrasted with the idea of love being blind makes us smile. Is it one or the other? Ot are both true?
10. If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
This lighthearted question draws our minds to humanitarians eating humans, which is not at all true.
The idea is even more humorous when we consider the very definition of humanitarian promotes human welfare.
11. If a structure has already been constructed, why do we call it a building and not a built?
This seems to defy the rules of grammar. Built would appear to be more accurate than building, which implies the structure is not finished yet and is still in progress.
12. Why use a sterile needle for a lethal injection?
Obviously, using a dirty needle shouldn't matter when someone is sentenced to death by lethal injection.
However, we could make the argument that, while this is true, society compels us to treat, even death row inmates, with the appropriate measure of dignity. The paradox is obvious, even if a bit macabre.
13. Some say that “ignorance is bliss,” so why aren't more people happy?
This question indicates that a great number of people are ignorant and, if that equals bliss, then there should be a great number of happy people.
This comparison makes us smile and also think about why we aren't seeing more happy people in our day to day.
14. If “practice makes perfect,” but “nobody's perfect,” why should we practice?
A question like this might make a good argument for a piano student who does not like to practice.
Of course, in certain situations, each statement has some truth, which makes it funny when we apply both statements to the same situation, in which it's impossible for both to be true.
15. Why do you have to stop in a “drive-thru”?
The very name “drive-thru” or “drive-through” indicates you can keep on driving, and yet you have to stop to place your order at fast food drive-thrus.
The idea brings forth the logical question of why would a line be called drive-thru when stopping is required.
16. If nothing can stick to Teflon, then how does Teflon stick to the pan?
Not only does this question raise more questions about the properties of adhesion, but it also points out the contradiction of Teflon's non-stick ability versus the Teflon itself applied to cookware.
17. When a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
This age-old question may pop up in conversations from time to time and compels us, philosophically, to compare perception to the nature of reality.
18. When a synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest of the swimmers drown, too?
When we see the coordinated movements of swimmers in performance, we notice how each movement follows the other swimmers perfectly.
Therefore, this question contrasts the concept of synchronization with how far the swimmers should go to make sure their performance is perfectly synchronized and the absurdity of the idea of purposely drowning.
19. If it's true that “actions speak louder than words,” is a mime deafening?
This question refers to how a mime communicates only in actions and whether the concept of actions speaking louder than words could be applied, thus making a mime's communication louder than someone shouting.
20. Why is the third hand on a clock called the second hand?
Obviously, this question shows the inconsistency of the naming conventions on the face of a clock when a second is an interval of time as well as the next place after the first.
21. Why do people drive on parkways and park on driveways?
This brings into question the linguistics of why streets, roads, and parking places are named the way they are.
22. If you try to fail and are successful, what have you done?
This philosophical question makes you think about whether your success in failing should be called a success or a failure. Either way, it's confusing and definitely food for thought and conversation.
23. Why do we call the most popular pencil #2?
Usually, we think of a number 2 designation as something that is subordinate to or not quite as good as number 1. However, the #2 pencil is preferred by most, and is there even a #1?
24. If there is a word in the dictionary that is misspelled, how would we know?
We rely on the accuracy of information in the dictionary as the final authority in spellings and definitions.
Therefore, it's interesting to contemplate what if there was a misspelled word. Would we assume it was spelled correctly only because the dictionary says so?
25. If you have multiple personalities and threaten to take your own life, would that be a hostage situation?
This brings a bit of humor into whether having a multiple personality disorder would be a game-changer in determining how to define a grave situation. Hmmm….makes you think.
26. At a restaurant, if you're waiting for a waiter to arrive at your table, doesn't that make you the waiter?
The dynamics of restaurant lingo is contrasted with the fact that you are the one waiting. It brings humor into a thought-provoking situation that may spark a fun conversation.
27. If a pilot flies at the speed of sound, can he still hear his iPod?
Assuming a pilot is listening to some tunes on an iPod, this question makes us think of how traveling at the speed of sound may affect the sound. Or will it?
28. In the Cinderella story, why would her shoe fall off if it fit perfectly?
As the story goes, the prince goes looking for the lady who left her show behind at the ball. When he finds it fits Cinderella, he knows he's found his princess.
Thinking that if her shoe fit, it would not have fallen off in the first place brings into question the validity of the storyline.
29. If the phrase “time is money” is true, does that make ATMs time machines?
Drawing on the humor of a hypothetical time-traveling machine related to money, we can see the parallel between the concepts of money and time.
30. If the universe has no end, what goes beyond the “edge of the universe”?
This pokes fun at the idea of infinity and how or if there could be something beyond infinity.
31. When you're open-minded, can your brain fall out?
This provides a funny way of thinking of open-mindedness, in that, if something is open there's a risk of whatever's in there falling out contrasted with open-mindedness meaning acceptance of ideas or information without immediate rejection.
32. Can you be both careful and carefree?
Thinking about the differences of taking excessive caution and comparing how that might impede carefree behavior, this question suggests a deep think on the subject may be in order.
33. If a crime fighter fights crime, and a firefighter fights fire, what does a freedom fighter fight?
This play on words helps us see that not all words mean the same in every circumstance.
Of course, while it would seem the correct answer would be a freedom fighter fights freedom, based on the other two examples, we know that would be the exact opposite of what a freedom fighter does.
34. If you find a turtle without its shell, would you say it's homeless or naked?
While we know a turtle's shell is its home, this question makes us think about the concepts of shelter and clothing in relation to the shell.
35. If we are here on Earth in order to help others, what are the others here for?
This question challenges the ideas of interpersonal relationships and how we mutually aid each other.
It playfully makes us think of the underlying assumptions we may have about our human existence and purpose while ironically looking at the purpose others have in relation to us.
Final Thoughts on Funny Philosophical Questions to Laugh and Think About
Exploring philosophical questions can be both fun and thought-provoking. They offer amusement as well as critical thinking. Best of all, they can provide a fresh perspective on some of life's most perplexing questions.
Pondering these questions with your friends can lead to a deeper understanding of the world around you, including your relationships.
And with the additional lens of humor, philosophical questions invite people of diverse backgrounds to engage in complex concepts in a lighthearted manner.
Whether the questions touch on the deep meanings of life or provide a look at the more whimsical side of philosophy, they remind us that coupling laughter and curiosity can lead to interesting and intellectual explorations.
If you want to incorporate more humor into your life, be sure to check out our article on funny affirmations. They're sure to give you a chuckle and may provide good subject matter for you to form your own funny philosophical questions.
And if you want more interesting questions to ask, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 183 Fun This or That Questions for Adults
- 111 Self-Discovery Questions to Ask Yourself While Journaling
- 200 Fun Who is Most Likely To Questions for ALL Occasions
