Socratic Questions

Enhance Your Critical Thinking Skills – Master 6 Types of Socratic Questions

Socrates (469 – 399 B.C.) was one of the greatest educators who taught by asking questions and thus drawing out answers from his pupils. His pupils include Plato and Aristotle.

Socratic Method is a dialectic method of inquiry, that uses cross-examination of someone's claims and premises in order to reveal out a contradiction or internal inconsistency among them.

Socratic questioning is at the heart of critical thinking – they enhance your critical thinking skills. Socratic questions challenge accuracy and completeness of thinking in a way that acts to move people towards their ultimate goal.

The primary learning goal of Socratic method is to explore the contours of often difficult issues and to learn critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking is the process we use to reflect on, access and judge the assumptions underlying our own and others ideas and actions.

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In the new era of rapid change, you must constantly expand your horizons beyond simple gathering information and relying on the basic principles. In business, Socratic method and Socratic questions are often used by lawyers, engineers, innovators, etc.

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For instance, when used by lawyers, the Socratic questioning involves asking a series of questions surrounding a central issue, and answering questions of the others involved. The idea is to expose the opponents contradictions in such a way that proves the inquirer's own point.

Socratic Thinking will also help you think critically about everyday issues.

The taxonomy of Socratic questions was created by Richard Paul, author of

Critical Thinking: How to Prepare Students for a Rapidly Changing World

Six Types of Socratic Questions