Children Become Scholars with the Socratic Method

Socratic style teaching is depicted widely in popular culture as a teacher asking students questions to push their knowledge. This method is nearly 2,500 years old but still used today. Why? Modern research shows that the Socratic method improves logic and reasoning - the pillars of a functioning, innovative society. Despite its popularity, most don’t know how to use it. It’s a lot more complicated than just asking questions.

The Socratic method is named after Socrates, a Greek philosopher who lived from 469-399BCE; however, the Socratic style that focuses on critical thinking was actually developed by Plato, Socrates' student.

Socrates focused on understanding basic, first principles. In science, you might ask, “how many planets are in our solar system?” In higher education, you might ask, “why do the planets revolve around the sun?” Students would describe the forces acting on the planets that keep them in orbit. The most important feature is to deconstruct what students think they know and find holes in their logic. For example, they might know the planets orbit the sun and that the orbit is elliptical but do they understand why?

Put simply, Socrates prepared students for learning by first helping them understand what they do not know

Plato pushed this further

Plato asked students to create logical ideas based on observable data. The focus was on creating NEW ideas & pushing the boundaries of current knowledge. If you’re thinking, that sounds like the scientific process, you’d be right. PhD stands for Doctorate of Philosophy. As a scientist, I perform experiments, collect data, and then create logical conclusions based on that data. Other scientists might look at the same data and come to different conclusions. This leads to more experiments to determine which conclusion is more likely to be correct. Repeat. When done properly, the scientific process is a back and forth game of logical arguments. Logic doesn’t just apply to science. It can be applied across all fields and disciplines.

The goal of Plato’s version of the Socratic method is for students to learn how to think by becoming aware of weaknesses in their thought processes & knowledge

Plato's questions wouldn't have answers. This is important for two reasons

1. Gives students the chance to learn that they don't & never will know everything. In conventional schooling or direct instruction (lecture), students are given the impression that there are “right” and “wrong” answers. Instead of, “there is stronger evidence for this answer but alternative solutions can’t be ruled out”. Bottom line: it encourages students to keep learning!

2. Helps students be comfortable in uncertainty. It can be daunting to realize that the are some mysteries in the world we don’t (and maybe never will) know the answer to. Learning to be comfortable and ideally to enjoy that space is where creation and innovation lie. Bottom line: To make something new you must first be comfortable without an answer.

First step to starting the Socratic method

The teacher must give up the "sage on the stage" role & instead become a guide & coach to students. Moreover, the teacher needs to acknowledge when they don’t know something. Get students used to the fact that no one knows everything.

The teacher's goal is not to deliver knowledge or importantly NOT to persuade students to their opinions. Rather, the teacher's goal is to encourage students to construct their OWN original thoughts & arguments through logical application of observable data. Indeed, teachers should often take students down the wrong path creating false logical arguments so that students can “call them out”. Note: this is better for older students. K-4 children are generally not ready for this. Something magical happens in the brain around 5th grade and students start doing logic (more on this another time).

When the Socratic method is applied properly studies show, students learn to think critically, logically construct arguments, & perhaps most importantly engage in positive & friendly discussion.

In this way, the Socratic method helps us achieve a more peaceful world

Now that we have an understanding of what the Socratic method is trying to accomplish, next time we’ll talk about 5 easy steps to add it to everyday learning experiences. Subscribe below to make sure you don’t miss it!

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