The Socratic Method is a teaching approach that aims to deepen understanding by questioning everything. It was named after philosopher Socrates, who engaged in conversations to define broad ideas. The method eliminates notions of complete understanding to stimulate growth in knowledge. The questioner assumes a subordinate role, leading the respondent to think critically. The purpose is to improve human beings by increasing their understanding and allowing them to think for themselves.
The Socratic Method is one of the oldest and most powerful approaches to teaching and developing critical thinking skills. By removing the claims of certainty, the method aims to bring about a deeper understanding of any subject. Basically, you have to question everything; leave no chance untouched.
The Socratic method takes its name from Socrates, a philosopher who lived in Athens around 470 BC Socrates became famous for often engaging others in conversations that attempted to define broad ideas such as beauty, virtue, justice, courage, temperance, and friendship by discussing the their ambiguity and complexity. During his conversations, Socrates placed himself in the position of a student, forcing his interviewees to act in the role of a teacher. However, as many believed that Socrates had a greater understanding of the topics under discussion, his role reversal came to be known as Socratic irony.
While the Socratic method can be effectively used to guide others to a better understanding of established subjects such as mathematics, it is most often used to stimulate positive growth in the quality of human speech. That is, the method seeks to eliminate all notions of complete understanding of any subject so as to remove the barriers surrounding a higher level of knowledge. Socrates said that the only thing he knew was that he knew absolutely nothing.
The Socratic Method recognizes that believing anything beyond a shadow of a doubt can be dangerous, and that holding on to what we thought we knew can trap us, preventing us from truly knowing anything. By recognizing these basic principles, the method paves the way for a dialogue that seeks to discover the true meaning. However, when all preconceived notions are removed, people can feel scared, defensive, or anxious; emotions that can turn an equal dialogue into an argument, one side against the other.
In the Socratic method, the questioner assumes a subordinate role, one of seeking knowledge. This is very important, as it drops defenses and provides a level of comfort that allows the questioner and interviewee to speak freely and openly. The method is based on a genuine modesty in the questioner. Attitudes of humility and shared goals prevent the interrogator and the interviewee from becoming adversaries.
The Socratic method begins with the questioner asking the respondent a question such as “What is beauty?” Once the respondent answers, the interrogator asks the respondent a series of focused questions which lead the respondent to respond with an answer that proves the original false answer to “What is beauty”. Once the respondent realizes that their original answer is invalid, the interrogator again asks, “What is beauty?” Removing the interviewee’s confidence that they have a clear understanding of beauty prepares the interviewee to think critically.
The real purpose of the Socratic Method is not to define beauty, or justice, or any other complex subject, but rather to improve human beings by increasing their understanding. The method uses your own words to convince you that you know less about it than you initially thought. When you’re less sure, you’re forced to open your mind to various possibilities you hadn’t considered.
Answering questions that lead you to discover the answer or a new way of thinking gives you a rewarding sense of efficacy that can also improve your confidence. Rather than simply being told how or what to think, the Socratic Method allows you to think for yourself. This unique ability to find one’s own path is rewarding and fulfilling; above all, it is durable.
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