I'm well vs. "I'm good" vs. "I'm doing well", etc?

Question

The greeting _How are you?_ is asking _How are you doing in general?_ — > How are you? I'm well. [**Misunderstood the question.**] because _well_ as an adjective which means: > in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury This would be an answer to _How are you doing physically, how is your health?_ — > How are you? > I'm good. [**Misunderstood the question.**] because _good_ as an adjective means: > having moral excellence or admirableness This would be an answer to > How would you describe your character, superman? > I'm good. — > How are you? > I'm doing good. [**Grammatically incorrect.**] because _good_ is an adjective, not an adverb. — > How are you? I'm doing well. [**Correct.**] because _well_ is an adverb describing how you are doing. > How are you? > I'm doing fine. [**Correct.**] because _fine_ is an adjective which means: > being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition --- Why do so many people say one of the first three responses?

Answer 1

You seem to be overthinking a very simple exchange.

When someone says how are you? Yes, they are asking in general, but that includes physically, mentally, situationally --- everything, and they are referring to right now. We have been taught from birth to answer. Fine, or I'm fine, or I'm well or doing well (which doesn't just mean physically), as opposed to "good" which we were taught is bad grammar.

I'm good, however, has become more popular but it's still considered more of a casual, slang or colloquial way of responding, and is more likely to be specific to certain races, cultures or age groups over others..

Also, whether our word of choice is fine, good, well, okay or whatever, just like the question, our answer is general and refers to our general state of being at this moment. It has nothing to do with just a physical reference or ability reference, etc. You are imposing other meanings and other uses of these words onto a very simple, light and "general" exchange.