re: #779 Slumbering Behemoth

Am I at least correct in attributing that technique to Socrates?

Yes.

The difference between Socrates and Aristophanes was that Aristophanes was a master of the emotional argument.

In an interesting way, The Trial of Socrates and The Clouds give testament to the competing power of logic versus emotion. Sometimes, the emotional appeal works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Another important aspect of the Socratic method is asking the questions in a way that you know what answers you will get. Leading by asking. The other party may think that they are leading the discussion, but it is you, asking the questions, that is actually leading the discussion, at least, as long as you can keep your wits about you as you work the Socratic method. It is not easy. Actually, it is damned difficult.