teaching technique

[bythec]

In law school, the professor always answers the students question with another question. What is the term for that?

[Peter Pedant]

I think you mean Socratic

I found it quite irritating myself, especially if delivered with a coy smile.

[Peter Pedant]

SOrry, have I missed a point there ?

Shouldnt that be: "do you mean "socratic"? ?

[vehelpfulguy]

Or you could have said

Why do you ask ?

[Quizmonster]

There is no single name for the process of answering one question with another or for the person who does so. However, here's a variety of possibilities for you to consider:-
counter-question(er), quasi-answer(er), verbal tennis(-player), query logic(ian), the Socratic approach (a Socrates). Socrates used questions to force his students to seek further questions and answers. Finally, there's aporia, which is a process in logic/rhetoric whereby a speaker reveals doubt...ie may be asking a question. Perhaps you'd care to pick one of these?
In the teaching circumstances you refer to, the Socratic approach is clearly the most specific, as already suggested above.

[juliely]

Annoying.

[woofgang]

yes I was going to post " being a pain in the fundament"

[bondy]

Its called politics! Or maybe a rhetorical answer..... or maybe I mean question! Its certainly avoiding the question and its very annoying.You can avoid this by starting with the answer to which they are then forced to deny or admit...unless your names Tony Blair of course!

[waimarie]

I have a friend who is a retired professor from the Uni of Hawaii and he uses this technique in normal conversation. I often feel I am being lectured rather than having a conversation and become extremely irritated. The worst part is, he never listens to any answer I might give!!!!

[maximo]

Stopannoyingyourstudentsjustforthesakeofit. I believe it's ancient Grobalgud ( East coast. ). Night.