The conclusion he now reaches is the same as that previously advocated by Iokaste: ignore prophecy altogether, avoid Delphi, read no meaning into the flight of birds. That he articulates this idea by posing a rhetorical question suggests that there is no other reasonable answer. This challenges the audience, however, to articulate just that answer: in order to avoid self-contradiction one cannot both have faith in the god and challenge his power, one cannot choose to consult Delphi and then seek to negate a Delphic prophecy. [Mpea] [Mi]