unanswerable
un-AN-suh-ruh-bul
Definition
Impossible to resolve, explain, or provide a satisfactory response to, particularly concerning complex emotional states.
Etymology
Derived from the Old English 'un-' (not) and 'andswaru' (a response or answer). The suffix '-able' was added later to denote the capacity or capability of being answered.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe abstract, existential questions that cannot be solved, suggesting that dwelling on them leads to overthinking. It highlights why shifting focus to concrete, actionable steps is more effective for mental clarity.
The research on overthinking points to one specific shift that helps more than telling yourself to stop: drop from the abstract why is this happening to me to the concrete what exactly happened and what is my next step
Read the full article ↗ScienceBlog.com