user289: This came up in the non-buddhism question (comments to the question). Apparently this is a sort of question that is discouraged on some stack-exchanges. My google-fu is not good enough to find the relevant meta discussions.

user43: Thanks for bringing this up, it did slip off my radar. When I said "this question asks for characterization" (in reference to question about the "non-buddhism" movement) I meant that the question leads to answers tending to be closer to value judgement, than a fact or interpretation.
I define the boundary between question seeking interpretation and question seeking a characterization as follows:
Question seeking interpretation pertains to a phrase or concept the meaning and/or significance of which is unclear (to OP). While question seeking characterization pertains to behavior of a person or group of people. The two seem similar, however in first case, there is supposedly an objective answer, even if it is arguable (e.g. "what does anatta really mean?" or "is life really suffering?" or "does bowing have any significance beyond ritual?"), while in the second case, the question is unquestionably open-ended and all answers are a matter of opinion.
I believe we should allow interpretation-questions but not characterization-questions.

289: <p>This came up in the non-buddhism question (comments to the question). Apparently this is a sort of question that is discouraged on some stack-exchanges. My google-fu is not good enough to find the relevant meta discussions.</p>
 43: <p>Thanks for bringing this up, it did slip off my radar. When I said "this question asks for characterization" (in reference to question about the "non-buddhism" movement) I meant that the question leads to answers tending to be closer to value judgement, than a fact or interpretation.</p>

<p>I define the boundary between question seeking interpretation and question seeking a characterization as follows:</p>

<p><em>Question seeking interpretation</em> pertains to <strong>a phrase or concept</strong> the meaning and/or significance of which is unclear (to OP). While <em>question seeking characterization</em> pertains to <strong>behavior of a person or group of people</strong>. The two seem similar, however in first case, there is supposedly an objective answer, even if it is arguable (e.g. "what does anatta really mean?" or "is life really suffering?" or "does bowing have any significance beyond ritual?"), while in the second case, the question is unquestionably open-ended and all answers are a matter of opinion.</p>

<p>I believe we should allow interpretation-questions but not characterization-questions.</p>
