Fragesinn

Fragesinn is a German term describing a mindset or ability characterized by a readiness and pleasure to ask questions, explore ambiguities, and seek explanations. The word combines Fragen (to ask questions) and Sinn (sense or mind) and is used to describe an attitude of curiosity and critical inquiry.

In educational contexts, Fragesinn is valued as part of active learning and inquiry-based approaches. Students with a well-developed Fragesinn tend to pose clarifying, elaborative, and challenging questions, which can promote understanding, metacognition, and problem-solving skills. It is often encouraged as a habit that supports deeper engagement with material and autonomous learning.

In psychology and pedagogy, Fragesinn is closely related to epistemic curiosity—the drive to acquire knowledge for its own sake—and to a cognitive style that emphasizes evidence-seeking and reflective doubt without closed-mindedness. A balanced Fragesinn supports open-mindedness and rigorous questioning while avoiding cynicism or disruptive nitpicking.

Cultural and situational factors influence its expression; in some environments excessive questioning may hinder group progress, whereas in others it accelerates learning and innovation. Practically, educators foster Fragesinn by prompting questions, modelling questioning, and providing safe spaces for inquiry. The concept appears in German-speaking educational literature and is discussed in relation to critical thinking, scientific literacy, and lifelong learning.