The Art of the Socratic Conversation

@dabambic / West Island College
Philosophy for Teens
The Art of the Socratic
Conversation
Using Questions to Aim at Truth

Cultivate prior knowledge
You need to have some background
and prior thinking about the topic. It
helps to know the different sides of
the issue, be familiar with the terrain
of the dispute, the familiar objections
and pitfalls. What do people
commonly agree or disagree upon?

Listen for understanding & planning
Questions are the essential
tool of the cross examiner
but so is listening and
planning. When you really
listen, you are better able to
understand their point of
view.

Listen for understanding & planning
Socrates looked for the
‘rule’ or the ‘general’.
specific general=inductive reasoning
He looked for the weak
spot in the initial
position/premise.

Look for weak spots
Hunt out weakness,
contradictions and ‘fuzzy’
definitions. Be wary of
clichés and over
generalizations.

Questions are the guide
Use your questions as the
guide that leads the
interlocutor to some
admission (ignorance?
change of heart?) or a
realization.

Know where the questions lead:
reveal the hidden assumptions
Like Socrates, you have a
plan where the cross-
examination will lead the
interlocutor. Instead of
saying, “No, that’s wrong”,
you gently lead the
conversation to its end point
- which you have devised.

HIDDEN ASSUMPTIONS - THE KEY
(extra because it’s so
important)
The more you have thought
about the issue, the better
able you will be at spotting
the hidden assumptions.
Find the ‘unspoken reasons
for believing’ and you will
have found the key.

Discover where the questions lead
Also like Socrates, you are
a lover of wisdom and truly
want to ‘discover’ the
answer with your
interlocutor. In this case,
you are not leading but
discovering with them as
you go along.

Consensus as a road to truth
Your goal is not to
demolish the interlocutor.
You are not arrogant but a
lover of wisdom. Aim for
consensus and try to win
the interlocutor’s trust that
you both share the same
aim - truth.

Voice both sides
Make both sides clear and
voice both agreements and
disagreements. Rephrase,
summarize and re-frame
the definitions and
questions as you proceed.

Progress through resolution
Each side can give and
take a little through the
conversation. What can
you concede? What can be
gained by some resolution
without compromising it all?

It is not about winning
Remember the truth is what is
valued; not being right. It’s OK if
“Socrates” gets it wrong. This
is not a cat and mouse game but
an honest (though difficult)
conversation aimed at
establishing the truest possible
conclusion. Be willing to judge
your own position.

The Art of the Socratic Conversation

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The Art of the Socratic Conversation