At age fourteen, I was introduced to a debate tactic I never forgot. Called the “Columbo Tactic,” this strategy allowed me to challenge any view I found even remotely illogical, all the while keeping me from having to meticulously articulate my own position. And, though I first heard about it in a distinctly Christian apologetics book (Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl), it’s applicable to arguments of all types.
What Is the Columbo Tactic?
The Columbo Tactic is named after Lieutenant Columbo, a 1970’s crime show detective. As Koukl explains, Columbo was known for his rumpled appearance, pocket notepad, and persistent inability to find a pencil. After surveying a crime scene for a few minutes, Columbo would rub his eyebrow, looking confused. “There’s something I don’t quite understand,” he might say. He’d turn to his suspect. “You look smart. Would you mind if I asked you a question?”
That single question would turn into another question, then another. “Just one more thing,” Columbo liked to say, scratching his head. Beneath a façade of incompetence, Columbo would gather the information he needed to eventually crack the case.
While Columbo wasn’t necessarily involved in ideological discussions, he teaches us something significant about debate: Namely, playing offense doesn’t have to look like offense. In Columbo’s case, it hid under clumsiness and blundering questions.
The Columbo Tactic builds on the concept of curiosity, encouraging its users to begin logical disagreements by asking pointed questions. Eventually, those questions can help an opponent see the weaknesses within his views.
What Does This Look Like Practically?
Granted, the Columbo Tactic doesn’t fit every kind of disagreement. You’ll probably be a little hard-pressed to find a place for it in formal (televised) debate, and it’s probably not the best method for arguing with your spouse. But, within the context of casual ideological disagreements, the Columbo tactic works wonderfully.
Think about this: Suppose you’re flying on an airplane for a business trip, and the outspoken man next to you says something you disagree with. For example, let’s say he sees three crying toddlers in the aisle and makes a derogatory comment about stay-at-home moms. You think it’s important to challenge him, but you’re not sure how to do it. You don’t want an angry travel mate: How do you disagree gently?
Enter the Columbo Tactic. You don’t have to say you disagree (more on this later); just ask directed questions to gain information and show him the weak flaws of his argument. Start broadly (“What has been your experience of stay-at-home moms?”) and get more specific as he answers (“If we don’t have stay-at-home moms, how should we provide moral education?”). As you ask more questions, you’ll get him thinking. He’ll have to process his own viewpoint, and—who knows?—he might see something he hasn’t seen before.
Benefits of the Columbo Tactic
There are many reasons why the Columbo Tactic works well. Here are three of them.
- It’s unassuming.
People usually don’t feel threatened by a question. They just answer it. After all, who doesn’t want to enlighten someone else with their wisdom?
When Columbo is used well, it doesn’t pose a threat to the opponent. In fact, the opposite will probably occur: Your opponent will be flattered that you’re taking the time and energy to ask specific questions, usually not even realizing a disagreement has begun!
- It buys you time.
For some of us (myself included), thinking relies heavily on intuition. We might sense a logical flaw before having the words to explain it. The Columbo Tactic lets you use questions to poke at that flaw, buying yourself time to think about the matter more.
- It keeps you from shouldering the burden of proof.
You’ve probably heard of the burden of proof: the idea that a person making a statement has an obligation to prove that statement. If someone says “God doesn’t exist,” they have the responsibility to prove why God doesn’t exist.
With the Columbo Tactic, you don’t have to shoulder the burden of proof. You’re asking questions, not making claims, so you have nothing (explicitly) to defend!
For me, at least, this takes a lot of stress out of debate. The Columbo Tactic doesn’t require astounding argumentation or terrific remembrance of specific data—it only requires you to be curious!
Columbo in Action
I’ve used Columbo in many situations of life, from talking with a coworker during a slow shift to challenging an agnostic I met while flying home from Maryland. Each time, the tactic has allowed me to gently prod at the views of those around me, forcing them to think through their beliefs and exposing weak spots in their arguments.
It’ll take a little practice to get good at asking questions, especially if you’re not necessarily a curious type. Still, I can testify that learning the Columbo Tactic is well worth the effort. It’s helped me greatly, and I know it can help you.
