I disagree. I very often use the Socratic method, or elements of it, when I don't know much about a topic and want to passively challenge the other party's idea

I disagree. I very often use the Socratic method, or elements of it, when I don't know much about a topic and want to passively challenge the other party's ideas without trying to convince them of an opposing view point. I do this in person and in online forums like this one. I'm not trying to guide someone to my own conclusion, and I might not have enough information to have an educated opinion, or I might be ambivalent about the subject. It takes the form of me asking for clarification in a non-antagonistic fashion. I would say I most often use this strategy to force people to justify their own opinions to me when I have no opinion at all. I even do this to people I agree with.