The Socratic Method
An Introduction
Peter Harteloh
(www.filosofischepraktijk.com)
Nanjing May 2013
Philosophical Practice
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•
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Philosophy as a way of life (Pierre Hadot)
Individual consultations
Socratic group dialogue
Philosophizing with people not necessarily trained
in philosophy about issues in life
• Outside universities, at the market place
“The Socratic Method is
(i) the art of teaching not philosophy, but
philosophizing;
(ii) the art not of teaching about philosophers,
but of making philosophers of the students”
Leonard Nelson, 1922
Socratic Method
• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): investigation
of fundamental presuppositions and
concepts
• Socrates (470-399 BCE) for the (i) art of
questioning, (ii) the attitude of not knowing
Socratic Method
"Socrates questioned and examined and
cross-examined his fellow citizens, not to
convey a new truth to them in the manner of
an instructor but only to point out the path
along which it might be found.”
[Plato, Apology]
The Socratic Method:
(i) Aimed at understanding:
(ii) “Philosophy does not rest on self-evident
truths. On the contrary, its principles are the
focus of obscurity, uncertainty, and
controversy”
Leonard Nelson, 1922
Socratic Method
• Questioning in order to reveal the “notknowing” (Socratic attitude)
• Gathering of examples from ordinary life
(Socrates)
• Reason from examples to most general
presuppositions (Kant)
• Planned investigation into concepts
(Socrates)
Socratic Method
• Investigate the concepts as such
(definitions) (Socrates and Kant)
• Make pupils/people think
• Philosophy is thinking
• The Socratic Method is the way to teach
philosophy, to philosophise
Socratic dialogue – Six Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Choose a topic (e.g. peace) & a question
Give examples from own experience
Which example suits the topic best?
Write out the example in detail
Examine underlying principle
Generalize answer (regressive abstraction)
Socratic dialogue – Dutch approach
1.
2.
3.
4.
Shorter (half a day)
Faster, e.g. by voting
Prepared by choosing question/theme
Several forms of dialogue (not only
talking, but also walking etc.)
5. Aimed at reflexive experience
6. Attitude building
Socratic Method
Philosophy: ”It does not at all admit of verbal
expression like other studies, but as a result of
continued application to the subject itself and
communion therewith, it is brought to birth in
the soul on a sudden, as light that is kindled
by a leaping spark, and thereafter it nourishes
itself" (Nelson, 1922)
Socratic Method
Understanding
Interpreting
Questioning
Answering
Philosophy
“But philosophy itself, that is to say, the mode
of philosophical life, is no longer divided into
parts, but a unique act that consists in living
logic, physics and ethics” (Pierre Hadot)
Socratic Dialogue
• A dialogue between participants, in such a
way that thoughts and thinking are
grounded in experience.
• The dialogue has a focus (the theme or the
question), a process in time (day-week) and
a conceptual articulation (thoughts)
• Philosophical experience
A Socratic Dialogue
on
Friendship
Socratic dialogue – Six Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Choose a theme/question (e.g. peace)
Give examples from own experience
Which example suits the topic best?
Write out the example in detail
Examine underlying principle
Generalize answer (regressive abstraction)
The theme/question
• Fundamental questions: What is friendship?
• Question can be related to examples
• Examples can be related to experience of
participants
• Avoid technical questions (How to fly to the
moon?)
The example
• An event in time related to the central
theme or question
• From the experience of participants
• In the past (not too long ago, not too recent)
• Participants are willing to tell, explain and
examine the example
• Not too emotional or personal
Choice of the example
• Participants choose an example (which
example suits the theme/question best?)
• Participants question the example (why is
this a good example of x?)
• Participants analyse the example
Analysis of the example
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•
•
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Write out the example in detail
Number sentences/scene by participant
Where in example is x located?
Write out answers
Choose answer to examine
Examine underlying principle
• Reflection on statements chosen and
reasons given
• What is (most) general form of this
statement? – write out
• Application to other example (fit?)
• Readjustment if necessary
Regressive abstraction
• What are the presuppositions of the
underlying principle?
• Write out the presuppositions + arguments
• Final understanding …. or aporia