Socratic dialogue

[Brother]

This form of dispute consists of questions and answers, following one after another at a rapid pace, which starts the process of critical thinking and sometimes leads to the fact that one of the disputants contradicts himself and thereby strengthens the opponent's argumentation.

The questions are aimed at checking the consistency of a certain statement. First, a general question is asked, then a clarifying one, followed by the next, and so on until the final answer. Otherwise, this system is called negative dialectics. In fact, it is so. The disputing parties deny incorrect hypotheses, using questions to find logical errors in them, and thereby approach the truth.

Such a dialogue begins with the fact that one gives an answer to the initially asked question. Thus, he provokes the interlocutor to ask a new question and starts the process of critical thinking.

Socratic dialogue is the purest form of critical thinking. It is based on the conviction that a simple and superficial answer to a question is not enough. Instead, he encourages us to analyze the deeper primordial layers of each question or statement. A or B? Okay, so let's say you choose B, but why?

This is the whole point of the Socratic method. He forces us to endlessly revise our beliefs in order to weed out all the false and, in the end, come to the truth.

What to do with all this?

Who should we address this question, if not the Critical Thinking Foundation, a non-profit organization that has been researching this area for more than three decades? The staff of the foundation found out that in order to conduct a Socratic dialogue, you need to follow the following rules:
• Answer all the questions of the interlocutor with questions that will force him to develop his thought further and deeper.
• Try to understand what makes the other person believe in what he says and does, and ask new questions based on this.
• Each new judgment should be logically related to the previous one.
• Remember that every idea and thought needs further development and deepening.
• Be aware that no idea can exist on its own, it is always interconnected with other thoughts and ideas. You must recognize this relationship and formulate new questions on this basis.

In addition to these key points, there are still ways to prepare for the Socratic dialogue.

The most effective tactic is this: you think about your ultimate goal and start from it. That is, you need to formulate which question you would like to ask the most recent, and create a network of questions that can lead to it.

What questions should you ask?

Of course, the questions that will appear in your dialogue initially depend on the subject and topic of the conversation.

David Straker, a former consultant at Hewlett Packard and author of Change Mind: in Detail, offered several proven questions to start the Socratic dialogue with. These questions can be divided into five groups: Clarification of Concepts, Seeking Assumptions, Seeking Rationale, Seeking Viewpoints, and Seeking Implications.

Sample questions

"Clarification of concepts"
• Why do you call it that?
• What exactly do you mean by the word ...?
• How does this relate to what is being discussed?
• What is the essence of ...?

"Search for assumptions"
• What other assumption can we make?
• You seem to admit ...
• Why do you start from such assumptions?
• Please explain why / how ...?

"Finding the rationale"
• Why is this happening?
• How do you know? Explain to me…
• Can you give me an example of what you are talking about?
• What do you think is the reason ...?

"Looking for points of view"
• You can look at it from the other side ...
• Don't you think it makes sense?
• Are there alternative points of view on this issue?
• Why is it necessary ...?
• Who benefits from it?

"Search for Consequences"
• What happens then?
• What are the consequences if we assume that ...?
• How could it be used?
• What are the consequences ...?

Your questions are highly dependent on what you want to get as a result. Therefore, it is important to formulate the ultimate goal and build on it.