Topical Guide 597
Mark Dorset
Rhetorical Devices: Maieutics (“Midwifery” Responding to a Question with a Question)
Where Do You Stop? Chapter 13:
Nicky turned toward me and rolled his eyes. “So I say to Miss Rheingold, ‘Can we answer a question with a question?’ […] ”
Plato, Theatetus (translated by R. Waterfield):
SOCRATES: “I have this feature in common with midwifes—I myself am barren of wisdom [ἄγονός εἰμι σοφίας, agonos eimi sophias]. The criticism that is often made of me—that it is a lack of wisdom that makes me ask others questions, but say nothing positive myself—is perfectly true. Why do I behave like this? Because the god compels me to attend to the labours of others [μαιεύεσθαί με ὁ θεὸς ἀναγκάζει, maieuesthai me ho deos anagkazei], but prohibits me from having any offspring myself. I myself, therefore, am quite devoid of wisdom; my mind has never produced an idea that could be called clever. But as for those who associate with me—well, although at first some of them give the impression of being pretty stupid, yet later, as the association continues, all of those to whom the god vouchsafes it improve marvellously, as is evident to themselves as well as to others. And they make this progress, clearly, not because they ever learn anything from me; the many fine ideas and offspring that they produce come from within themselves. But the god and I are responsible for the delivery.
See also:
Rhetorical Devices: Direct Address or Personal Address TG 397
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