This is true, not only is it practical but it also makes a good rhetorical hammer, for example I once started an argument with a truther friend asking him what exactly he believed, “for instance, do you believe all the Jews were evacuated before the planes hit?”. Forcing someone defending an irrational belief to first disassociate himself from all the really nutty stuff hanging on to his position works wonders.
I should probably remember to do more Socratic debating in friendly debates with incoming novices—never make a statement yourself if you can ask a question that will get the other person to make it.
I often think this, but find it very difficult in practice. People don’t respond to your questions the way you want; they find a way to hook off them to noodle on what’s on their mind rather than really trying to engage with them.
This is true, not only is it practical but it also makes a good rhetorical hammer, for example I once started an argument with a truther friend asking him what exactly he believed, “for instance, do you believe all the Jews were evacuated before the planes hit?”. Forcing someone defending an irrational belief to first disassociate himself from all the really nutty stuff hanging on to his position works wonders.
I should probably remember to do more Socratic debating in friendly debates with incoming novices—never make a statement yourself if you can ask a question that will get the other person to make it.
I often think this, but find it very difficult in practice. People don’t respond to your questions the way you want; they find a way to hook off them to noodle on what’s on their mind rather than really trying to engage with them.