What is the Socratic method?

1. Definition

The Socratic method is a distinctive form of inquiry into the essence of things, or more literally, into the what-it-is (tò tí estin) (Aristotle, Metaphysics, 1078b24-25), attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates (470/469-399 BCE). This model of inquiry is based on dialogue engagement (dialégesthai), or question-answer exchange between a practitioner and at least one interlocutor. As such, it presents itself as the antagonist of the Sophistic model based on macrology (makrología), or delivery of long speeches by an expert to an audience.

2. Tools, steps, and ultimate goal

Among its dialectical tools, the Socratic method includes inquiry (erótesis), or systematic questioning, and induction (epagogé), or inductive reasoning. These tools are employed across four main steps of the Socratic dialogue: first, ignorance (ágnoia), or disavowal of knowledge; second, irony (eironeía), or pretence mechanism; third, elenchus (élenchos), or cross-examination leading to deconstruction and refutation; fourth, maieutics (maieutiké), or guided discovery. The ultimate goal of the Socratic method is to obtain an unbiased understanding and a universal definition (tò orízesthai katholou) of the phenomenon or thought under analysis, hence to arrive at the respective what-it-is or essence. With its dialectical tools, the Socratic dialogue fosters critical thinking and leads to challenge assumptions, uncover contradictions, and reach a deeper understanding of complex phenomena and thoughts.