The Socratic Method: A Practitioner's Handbook by Ward Farnsworth

The Socratic Method: A Practitioner's Handbook by Ward Farnsworth

Author:Ward Farnsworth [Farnsworth, Ward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Philosophy, History & Surveys, Ancient & Classical, Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Movements, Analytic
ISBN: 9781567926859
Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher
Published: 2021-10-04T21:00:00+00:00


SOCRATES. I’d tell him the truth. And if the person asking me the question was one of those clever, disputatious men who always try to win arguments, I’d say: “You’ve heard what I have to say. If I’ve made a mistake, it’s up to you to challenge me and get me to explain myself.” On the other hand, if people are willing to join in the kind of friendly conversation you and I are having now, a less aggressive reply, one better suited for conversation, is appropriate.

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This approach can be carried over to examination of the self. The Socratic function in the mind, as in the dialogues, works like a gyroscope. It helps maintain orientation; it compensates. When his partners don’t have confidence, Socrates encourages them. When they’re inflated, he deflates them. The Socratic instinct in the self can operate the same way. In its caustic moments the Socratic function does some of the work of the fool or court jester in Shakespeare. Its job is to be offensive when the ego overrates itself. It pokes at self-importance and hubris when they need mockery; it looks long and hard for the emperor’s clothes and doesn’t find them. And it shows surprise and chagrin when the emperor is enraged.



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