It is a dialectical method , often involving an oppositional discussion in which the defense of one point of view is pitted against the defense of another ; one participant may lead another to contradict himself in some way , strengthening the inquirer 's own point .

This dialectical method often involves an oppositional discussion in which the defense of one point of view is pitted against another ; one participant may lead another to contradict himself in some way , strengthening the inquirer 's own point .
