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The Socratic Way of Questioning

How to Use Socrates’ Method to Discover the Truth and Argue Wisely
Michael Britton • Thinknetic © 2021 • 156 pages

Take-Aways
• Socrates’s emphasis on reasoning, precise definitions and critical thinking are the basis for the scientific
method.
• The Socratic method teaches you to think logically to find solutions to life’s dilemmas.
• Critical thinking is a learnable skill and should become a habitual mind-set.
• Logic, an element of both mathematics and philosophy, forms the foundation of critical thinking.
• Apply universal intellectual standards to your thinking and questioning.
• Having a Socratic mind-set involves seeking both truth and virtue.
• Asking the right questions is a matter of skill and humility.
• Listening is crucial to becoming a good questioner.
• The benefits of a questioning mind-set include discovery about the world and yourself.
• Practice each step of the Socratic method until it becomes second nature.

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 Recommendation
The art of Socratic questioning, an ancient method of critical thinking, has renewed relevance in the
age of disinformation and fake news. A foundation for scientific methods of research and applied logic,
Socrates’s model for exploring the world and the meaning of existence is also a philosophical cornerstone.
Writer Michael Britton explains how Socratic questioning can help you sharpen your mind, recognize your
biases, instigate dialogues that reveal true questions, and make informed decisions. With an unrelenting
commitment to truth and rationality, his book challenges readers to think.

Summary

Socrates’s emphasis on reasoning, precise definitions and critical thinking are the
basis for the scientific method.

Socrates, a fifth-century BC Greek philosopher, was a wise man who continually sought greater wisdom. He
developed the Socratic method – a probing, direct and respectful questioning technique – as he set out on a
quest to find someone who was wiser than he. He approached anyone whom he considered knowledgeable
– politicians, teachers and elders – and questioned them. Realizing he needed precisely defined terms
before any argument or dialogue could proceed, he would spend half the discussion searching for the
exact definition of the subject at hand. His unrelenting focus on differentiation of terms often elicited
embarrassment, frustration and animosity in his discussion partners.

Socrates’s emphasis led to universal rules for definitions. Logically, acceptable definitions should be neither
too broad nor too narrow. They must be literal, short, positive and not self-referential. In short, a definition
must be both clear and distinct.

“By exploring the boundaries of an issue and questioning assumptions, the Socratic ways
have led to discovering universal definitions and inductive arguments. These have come
to be regarded as the essence of the scientific method of inquiry.”

Using inductive and deductive reasoning, Socrates invented ways to test new hypotheses. The Socratic
method reveals inconsistencies in arguments and uncovers underlying assumptions, while investigating
evidence. Asking the right questions, objective observation and analyzing data from all perspectives form the
foundation of scientific inquiry.

The Socratic method teaches you to think logically to find solutions to life’s

dilemmas.

Life is teeming with important decisions. Both individuals and society at large must grapple with
countless problems, and making the right choice is frequently an agonizing decision. Can you
trust authorities and media while disinformation abounds?

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 “Critical thinking is…purposeful, reflective judgment, which manifests itself in reasoned
consideration of the evidence, context, methods, standards and conceptualization in
deciding what to believe or what to do.” (Peter Facione)

Learning to apply the Socratic method to these issues will allow you to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
The skill of critical thinking will help you discover the truth without relying on the opinions of others and
allow you to come to sound decisions based on logic and reason.

Critical thinking is a learnable skill and should become a habitual mind-set.

Critical thinking enhances your ability to solve problems and make decisions. Critical thinkers are willing
to question the status quo, to challenge their own and society’s assumptions, and to analyze the facts before
coming to a conclusion. They are open to new ideas. They analyze questions based on logic, systematically
approaching the information available with curiosity and an active desire to learn. Critical thinkers take time
to reach a conclusion. They appreciate truth and admit when they’re wrong. They value reason and allow
others to come to their own judgments.

“The systematic application of logic supported by evaluation and analysis, the courage to
question deeply, confidence in your thinking, and the humility to admit you were wrong,
all embody the spirit of Socratic dialogue.”

A number of skills are crucial for critical thinking: You must be capable of observing and objectively
reflecting upon issues and questions – analyzing and evaluating whether an opinion is well-founded.
Moreover, you must be able to recognize baseless or vague arguments and be aware of inferences in an issue.
Finally, you must clarify and articulate the criteria you used in reaching your conclusions.

Logic, an element of both mathematics and philosophy, forms the foundation of

critical thinking.

Logic takes the known facts and processes them before making an informed decision. The components of
logic are propositions, premises and conclusions. A proposition is a statement or assertion that expresses a
judgment or opinion – the base of an argument of logic. It’s either true or false. Premises are statements that
support the argument and from which people infer a conclusion.

“For an argument to be valid, all the premises have to be true, and the conclusion has to
be true. If the argument does not meet these conditions, it is an invalid argument.”

The three parts of logic form the process of deductive reasoning. Always check the proof of an argument for
accuracy: Be on guard against biases and emotions that can skew your objectivity. In this way, logic is more
accurate than common sense. Be warned that others may perceive you as obstructive when you question
their values or opinions. Keeping your focus on the truth of the matter means questioning your own beliefs
and values, as well as other people’s.

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 Apply universal intellectual standards to your thinking and questioning.

Universal intellectual standards are tools to help you assess how well-reasoned an argument is. Richard Paul
and Linda Elder, authors of The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, outline how to
apply these standards when following a line of questioning in pursuit of the truth:

• Clarity – Could you elaborate or provide an example?

• Accuracy – How can I check if what you said is true?
• Precision – Could you give more exact details?
• Relevance – How does that helpfully relate to the problem?
• Depth – What complications does this matter present?
• Breadth – How can you view this matter from another perspective?
• Logic – Does what you say follow from the evidence?
• Significance – What ideas are the most important?
• Fairness – Is your purpose above-board or do you have a hidden agenda?

Following these standards and habitually using them will bestow you with the traits of Socratic thinking:
You will gain intellectual humility, courage, empathy, autonomy, intellectual integrity, perseverance,
confidence in reason and fair-mindedness. Corresponding benefits include an ability to see your own
limitations and question your own beliefs. You will understand the merit of seeking others’ points of view,
be aware of influences on your thinking and act honestly in your dealings. As a critical thinker, you will learn
to push against irrational beliefs – even when doing so is difficult – to persuade others to think rationally,
and to remain curious yet detached from specific outcomes.

Having a Socratic mind-set means seeking both truth and virtue.

Socrates lived humbly, both in appearance and in attitude. His search for objective truth that would apply
to all cultures and people was of utmost importance to him. He sought to exhibit virtues such as wisdom,
justice, courage and temperance.

The Socratic search for truth and virtue requires the discipline of continual awareness and practice. Use
Socrates’s method to ask clear questions, assess those questions with rigorous logic and reach tested
conclusions. Doing so will help you remain open to others’ ideas, communicate clearly and find solutions to
problems.

“Socrates’s search was focused on ethics and truth, and extended to what is good and
right. To think and reason in a Socratic way, you need to develop intellectual humility,
open-mindedness, an inquiring mind, and a thirst for truth.”

Curiosity will allow your mind to accept unfamiliar ideas. This openness to new possibilities is essential
to the Socratic mind-set. Even when you lapse in attaining these ideals, strive to think critically. Look out
for opportunities to practice, and don’t let missteps discourage your attempts to become a strong critical
thinker, seeking truth.

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 Asking the right questions is a matter of skill and humility.

Having a degree of emotional detachment helps you see issues more clearly. You may have a lot of
information, but your emotions can muddy the waters. Debating with a close friend who takes an opposing
point of view can help you become more critical and aware of your own biases and learned mind-sets.
Remain open to the possibility you may be wrong, and don’t shirk from facing your preconceived ideas
and prejudices. Be willing to relearn what you thought you knew. When engaged in a discussion, don’t fear
awkward silences. Taking time to consider a question can allow for deeper analysis and understanding of the
issue. Don’t rush your questioning or argument.

“You engage in questioning to deepen your understanding instead of trying to prove

a point. If, in the process, you cause the other person to rethink their initial premise
or see things from a different perspective, you have both grown in understanding and
knowledge.”

To consider an issue before drawing a conclusion, ask yourself the following questions:

• How can I see this in a new way?

• What are my assumptions?
• Am I jumping to rash conclusions?
• What have I overlooked?
• What matters most?

Numerous obstacles prevent people from asking good questions. Fear of looking ignorant or being ridiculed
can stifle questioning. Being too knowledgeable can give you false confidence and prevent you from seeking
more information. Biases may blind you to issues that go against your current assumptions. Hubris, or
arrogance, causes you to think that your knowledge is superior, and that you are too intelligent to have
biases. Lack of time also makes people avoid asking questions.

Listening is crucial to becoming a good questioner.

If you don’t learn to listen attentively, your analysis will be faulty. Pay attention to the speaker’s main
point, and find out his or her purpose. Focus on it, and don’t be distracted by irrelevant topics. Figure
out the speaker’s true intention, and confirm it by asking for more information. Appreciate the speaker’s
perspective, and try to view the issue in the same way. Don’t react prematurely, and check yourself for biases
toward the speaker due to differences of culture, background or personality.

The benefits of a questioning mind-set include discovery about the world and
yourself.

Socrates established his method of asking questions in order to learn about the world and the meaning
of existence. He maintained that philosophy is not only about humanity’s place in the universe but
also about people’s personal search for meaning. Questions can help you connect with others, deepen
your relationships, improve your work life and make you a more skillful leader.

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 “The only thing I know, is that I know nothing.” (Socrates)

If you think you know more than you actually do, you’ll limit your ability to truly grow in knowledge. In
practicing the Socratic method, however, you will gain awareness of your own biases – both those taught to
you, and those you assumed through experience. Questioning causes you to see the world in a different light,
giving rise to increased creativity. As you become adept at solving problems, you will be able to use logic to
face difficulties.

Practice each step of the Socratic method until it becomes second nature.

When it comes to mastering the Socratic method, practice makes perfect. For whatever scenario or problem
you encounter, take the following steps:

• Begin by gathering information about the situation or argument, listening attentively to exactly what the
other person is saying and not saying.
• Define the terms being used, respectfully questioning until you clarify the concepts under discussion.
• Ask about the source of the facts, and make sure they are verifiable.
• Test any conclusions you reach by checking if the logic is sound.

Bear in mind that unexpected results can appear when you break down and analyze arguments and
observe them from other perspectives. Make contingency plans for all possibilities and for the unknown.
Orient yourself toward the future, and know that uncertainty may be part of it. Listen to and consider all
points of view, including nonverbal messages. Remember to apply the universal intellectual standards.

“The Socratic method is effective and beneficial because it starts with an initial definition
or opinion about a subject. Then it asks a question that raises an exception to that
definition or opinion. The resulting dialogue yields a better definition or alternate
opinion.”

Be aware of fallacies: blatant untruths, as well as statements that come about as a result of faulty reasoning.
Some common fallacies include using personal attacks instead of reason, attempting to distract with a side
issue, circular arguments that repeat premises as conclusions, appeals to a supposed expert, or appeals to
pity. Remember, your goal with Socratic questioning is to create solid arguments, logical conclusions and,
ultimately, to get to the truth.

About the Author

Michael Britton is a freelance writer and author of several books.

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