Kreon claims the right to learn from Oidipous as Oidipous “just now learned” from him, yet, since Oidipous learned nothing from his questioning of Kreon, the structure of Kreon’s request promises that he will in turn learn nothing from his questioning of Oidipous. Oidipous’s questions were not, however, even formulated with the intention of obtaining information but rather of making a point, of proving that Teiresias is no genuine seer and that his accusation was meant to facilitate a political coup. Thus, the audience can make a contrast between investigative questioning in order to acquire knowledge or gain understanding and forensic questioning in order to obtain an admission. It is clear that once men engage in questioning as an aspect of rhetorical combat, there is almost no chance that either will learn from the other. Indeed, given the false assumptions on both sides, little good can be expected to come of this exchange, which raises the further question: Is there a more fruitful way to arrive at agreement about what the circumstances and what action they require? [Mpe] [Mg]