How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Questions in Detouring Order

Techniques > General persuasion > The Art of Being Right > Questions in Detouring Order

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Or you may put questions in an order different from that which the conclusion to be drawn from them requires, and transpose them, so as not to let him know at what you are aiming. He can then take no precautions. You may also use his answers for different or even opposite conclusions, according to their character. This is akin to the trick of masking your procedure.

Example

What do you think about this?...
Can you tell me why you're here today?...
Which of these would you choose?...
Why can't you come tomorrow?...
But you said you weren't ready, why not? Are you ready now?
Is that not the best way?...

Discussion

Questions make people think. They usually create a focus and a container for the subject at hand. When you have asked one question, the other person will naturally expect you to ask further questions in the same line of thinking.

When your subsequent questions do not logically follow the previous questions, then this will cause confusion, in which the other person is likely to accept much of what you say without challenge, as they have lost their logical footing.

'Questions in Detouring Order' is the ninth of Schopenhauer's stratagems.