What is Socratic method?

  • (noun): A method of teaching by question and answer; used by Socrates to elicit truths from his students.
    Synonyms: maieutic method

Socratic Method

The Socratic method (also known as method of elenchus, elenctic method, Socratic irony, or Socratic debate), named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. It is a dialectical method, often involving an oppositional discussion in which the defense of one point of view is pitted against the defense of another; one participant may lead another to contradict himself in some way, thus strengthening the inquirer's own point.

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Some articles on Socratic method:

Correspondence Law School - United States - Use of Socratic Method - Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Technologies
... It is generally accepted that a crucial part of the Socratic Method process involves students being questioned by the professors, with follow-up ... Utilization of the Socratic Method pedagogy by online law schools in the traditional “interactive” direct question and answer format occurs through audio broadcast over the Internet of live sessions with ... This method of instruction has the advantage that the students need not be committed to be present for classes at set days and hours ...
Plato's Problem - Plato (427 B.C. – 347 B.C.) - Socrates (470 B.C. – 399 B.C.) - Socratic Method
... with which Socrates spoke supplies an outstanding problem solving technique – the Socratic Method ... The Socratic method may be described as follows it usually involves others with whom Socrates directly engages (not merely pontificating to an audience), it involves a deep philosophical or ethical question to which ...
Socratic Method - Application - Lesson Plan Elements For Teachers in Classrooms - Harkness Education
... and boarding schools employ a system known as the Harkness method, a style of teaching directly derived from the Socratic method ...
Socrates Cafe - Socratic Method
... the appropriateness of identifying the methods and goals practiced by Phillips with those of the historical Socrates "...the background for this enterprise is very different from that for ... American scholars have sometimes encouraged this reading of Socratic endeavors Phillips' fondness for this line of argument perhaps owes more to ...
The Paper Chase (film) - Reception
... the University of Chicago Law School calls his rendition of the Socratic method "over-the-top", telling prospective students "John Houseman may have ... Instead, our students discover quickly that the Socratic Method is a tool and a good one at that used to engage a large group of students in a discussion, while using probing questions to get at the ... The Socratic Method is not used at Chicago to intimidate, nor to "break down" new law students, but instead for the very reason Socrates developed it to develop critical thinking skills in students and ...

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