Modes
Three ways to learn.
One conversation, three pedagogical postures. Pick the one that fits what you're trying to do.
Socratic
The default. Mercurius asks questions back instead of handing you the answer. Use this when you want to learn how to think through a problem, not just collect a result.
Try: "How does an LLM actually work?"
Debate
You take a position; Mercurius pushes the other side. Responses come structured as claim, warrant, impact, and rebuttal angle — punchy enough for speech prep or live cross-examination.
Try: "Argue against the claim that AI will replace teachers."
Discussion
Conversational and balanced. Mercurius treats you as a thinking partner — surfacing tradeoffs and tensions, not verdicts.
Try: "What perspectives matter most when thinking about AI bias?"
When to use which
Mode by intent.
Socratic
When you want to actually understand a new topic. Mercurius asks questions back, scaffolds your thinking, and works toward the full answer with you instead of opening with it.
Debate
When you have a position to defend or stress-test. Mercurius pushes the opposing side as claim, warrant, impact, and rebuttal angle — punchy enough for speech prep or live cross-examination.
Discussion
When the question is more interesting than the answer. Conversational, balanced, tradeoff-focused — closer to a seminar than a search engine.