This concept exists outside of engineering too. It's captured in the more negatively intentioned: ““The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer". In user research, it's a much better signal when people correct you than when they agree. Politeness is easy—especially under the circumstances (power dynamic of you paying them, they only half care about your work, people generally want to be nice/agreeable, etc.)—such that you should be weary of it. Similarly trying to get real project goals or real requirements or real intentions from a PM or a boss, who may well be hiding that they there isn't much vision underneath things, is the same. The problem is that as productive as it is for developing the team's thinking, it will (1) probably come off as unproductive and challenging because you're slowing "progress" and (2) saying dumb wrong things makes you seem dumb and wrong. But per the concept, even when you do have the foresight to question, you're not allowed to just ask.