Critical Thinking

One of the founding fathers of Western philosophical thought, Socrates, was put on trial. Many Athenians saw him as a dangerous state antagonist, accusing him of corrupting the youth and refusing to recognize their gods. Socrates was feared not really for claiming to know all the answers, but also for asking too many questions.

While he disliked formal lectures, the philosopher enjoyed long discussions about morals and society involving friends and strangers. These were not just?debates, because Socrates would not give clear advice. In reality, the philosopher often claimed to know nothing and just asked more questions in return to his friends and strangers answers. Socrates, on the other hand, investigated their argument, identifying its weaknesses and assisting both allies in reaching a more solid understanding. Socrates' admirers adored him because of his perceptive questions. Plato and Xenophon, two of his disciples, were so inspired that they imitated their mentor's method in hypothetical dialogues. These made-up dialogues are great instances of the Socratic Method.In one of these constructed conversations, Socrates was speaking with Euthydemus, a young guy who thought he knew what justice and injustice were about. Socrates puts the student's beliefs to the test by asking him to classify behaviours such as lying and theft as just or unjust. Euthydemus labelled them as unjust, but this raises a new question: is it legal for a general to deceive or steal an opposing army? Euthydemus reconsiders his claim. He says that these acts are justifiable?when they are carried out against enemies, but immoral when they have been carried out against friends. But Socrates' work isn't done yet. He urges the young man to imagine a leader deceiving his troops in order to enhance morale. Euthydemus is disheartened soon. Every reply tends to generate more dilemmas, and it's likely that he does not really know what makes justice.

Socrates described himself as a midwife who helps others give birth to their ideas by utilising this question-oriented technique. His approach of inquiry elicits an individual's unquestioned assumptions, which he subsequently questions. Although the method does not always yield final solutions, it does aid in the clarification of questions and the elimination of conflicting or contradictory logic. It may so happen while applying the logic that those doing this debate may land in an unknown situation.

This technique isn't limited by the contents of the conversation, making it extremely useful in a variety of industries. The approach was employed to teach clinical medicine during the Renaissance. While a clinician questioned student's assumptions and facilitated discussion, students gave their reasoning for different diagnosis. The method could even produce valid conclusions in this context. Other sciences, such as astronomy, botany, and mathematics, adopted the same method. It was adapted to deal with abstract concerns of faith after the Protestant Reformation. The method constituted a significant aspect of American legal education in the nineteenth century. Professors examined their students' understanding of judicial opinion by providing them with hypothetical scenarios. The Supreme Court still uses this method to foresee the unintended effects of enacting legislation.

The Socratic Method can be used to teach practically any subject that requires critical thinking, but its effectiveness is dependent on the instructor who uses it. A good Socratic lecturer should be well-versed in their subject. Rather than intimidating their students or exhibiting their intellectual superiority, they should be polite, honestly interested, and respectful of each input.

Socrates himself may not have been the most skilled Socratic instructor in this regard. Historians say he was a fierce critic of Athens' form of democracy, and that he was known to pass on his views to his followers. These revolutionary beliefs were misinterpreted in public forums, and two of his followers were charged of planning treason. Socrates was most probably accused and sentenced to death as a result of his beliefs. Experts portray a peaceful philosopher even on his deathbed, was?constantly curious to investigate the ultimate.