Socratic method

E12007

The Socratic method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue that uses probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and expose contradictions in one’s beliefs.


Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf dialectical method
pedagogical method
philosophical method
contrastsWith didactic lecturing
rote memorization
developedBy Socrates
documentedIn Platonic dialogues
Xenophon’s writings
employsTechnique asking open-ended questions
challenging assumptions
dialogical refutation
reducing to absurdity
requesting definitions
seeking counterexamples
testing implications
focusesOn inconsistencies in beliefs
logical coherence
reason-giving
hasGoal clarification of concepts
discovery of truth
intellectual humility
moral improvement
self-knowledge
testing of assumptions
hasMainFeature cooperative argumentative dialogue
elenchus
examination of beliefs
exposure of contradictions
focus on definitions
refutation of claims
step-by-step questioning
stimulation of critical thinking
use of probing questions
influenced Socratic seminars
Western philosophy
modern pedagogy
namedAfter Socrates
originatedIn Classical Athens
relatedTo Socratic questioning
critical pedagogy
dialectic
maieutics
usedIn classroom teaching
coaching
critical thinking instruction
ethics training
legal education
medical education
philosophical inquiry
psychotherapy


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