The Socratic Method

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses the Socratic method of teaching philosophy. According to the paper, this method is also the method by which an understanding of a particular philosophical attitude, argument or theoretical tone is best achieved for the teacher and the learner. The paper reports that the only way students and scholars today can learn about these methods is through the writings of Socrates' brilliant student, Plato.

Outline:
What is the strength of the Socratic Method?
Criticisms of Socratic Methodology?
Phaedo - Plato
Is There Truly a Great Deal of Value in Embracing the Socratic Method? Can it Help Students Learn New Ideas?

From the Paper:

"Socrates shows good humor - or at least irony - by saying, "let him mind his business and be prepared to give the poison two or three times, if necessary..." The second step, the Hypothesis, is given by Socrates; "...he who has lived as a true philosopher has reason to be of good cheer when he is about to die," since after death the "greatest good" (eternal life?) will come. And, Socrates adds, the "true disciple of philosophy" is misunderstood by normal men because they don't realize that he has had "the desire of death all his life long..."
"Then Simmias laughs, and begins his hypothesis, prior to his launch into "cross-examination" of Socrates, which of course Socrates turns into his own elenchus. Simmias says that people hearing what Socrates said will agree that since a philosopher desires death, then he deserves death too. And Socrates launches a (question) "wonder": "Do we believe that there is such a thing as death?" And after Simmias says yes death is real, Socrates presents a hypothesis: "And is this anything but the separation of soul and body?" So, in other words, when the soul leaves the body, that is defined as death? Socrates hypothesizes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American University Washington College of Law. 2006. "The Law School Approach (or, 'How to Live with and Learn to Love the Socratic Method')." Available at:http://www.wcl.american.edu/pub/handbook/approach.html.
• Furlani, Andre. 2002. 'The Sacred Fount in Plato's Cave', University of Toronto Quarterly, vol. 71, no. 3. Available at: Academic Search Elite.
• Jowett, Benjamin. 1937. 'The Apology, Phaedo and Crito of Plato' in The Apology, Phaedo, andCrito of Plato, ed. Charles W. Eliot. P.F. Collier & Son Corporation, New York.

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