Plato s The Socratic Method - 2253 Words

Plato wrote nearly 30 dialogues, most of which focused on his predecessor, Socrates. His earlier works focused on Socrates Theories, or the Socratic method, while his later works focused on his own laws and Xenophon s Hiero. Some of Plato s dialogues include the Meno, Symposium, Republic, and the Phaedo. The Socratic method is a form of inquiry and discussion between individuals based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to generate ideas. This paper is going to focus on a few of Plato s earlier works and how they incorporate the Socratic method, versus his later works that seem to go in a different direction all together. First, it is important to understand that the Socratic method is a dialectical method that often involves discussion between people in which one person questions the defense of a point of view; many times the person defending his point of view may contradict himself, which gives the opposition a stronger defense. For example, Socrate s would use a simple question to begin many of his teachings, such as â€Å"Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?† As an alternative example, are actions right, or wrong, based only on the authority s approval of said actions? Socrates used this method many times to secure his point of view. Although Socrates wrote nothing down, therefore not allowing us to truly study his point of views or his teachings, we can assume that most ofShow MoreRelatedSocrates : The Suicide Of Socrates1405 Words   |  6 Pageswas asking in the dialectic method (also known as the Socratic method). The Socratic method was also referred to as the method of â€Å"elenchus†. The principle underlying the Socratic method is that students learn through the use of critical thinking, reasoning, and logic. To solve a problem, it would be broken down into a series of questions, the answers to which gradually distill the answer a person wou ld seek. This method was a influence in creating the scientific method, where the hypotheses is theRead MoreQuestions On World Philosophy By Plato, Maria Montessori, And John Dewey1276 Words   |  6 PagesPaper Mikala: I ask you this, what is Knowledge? Plato: Knowledge is Virtue. Maria Montessori: Knowledge is what we observe. John Dewey: Knowledge is the active adaptation of a person based on their environment. This is an example of the Socratic dialog laid out by Plato. Plato was a philosopher and educator whom believed that education was the key to society. As a student, I realize how my education was impacted by philosophers such a Plato, Montessori, and Dewey. As a future teacher, it isRead MoreThe Socratic Method And Nietzsche s Objections1390 Words   |  6 Pages The Socratic Method and Nietzsche’s Objections In Plato’s apology, the story is told of how Chaerephon, friend of Socrates, went to the temple at Delphi to ask the oracle a question pertaining to the wisdom of Socrates, and how it compares to the rest of the men on earth. â€Å"He asked if any man was wiser than I, and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser† (Plato). This response was very confusing to Socrates because he recognized that he was not wise at all, and it troubled him for some timeRead MorePhilosophy1687 Words   |  7 PagesAnthony Charpentier Due Date: 10/7/14 PHI 307 – Ancient Philosophy First Essay Assignment Xenophanes, Socrates, Plato on the possibility of knowledge Skepticism – A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something. In ordinary skepticism this would mean someone who would doubt the existence of something. A difference between the two is normal skepticism is you try to get it clear in your head. Ordinary doubt - or local skepticism - can usually be tested - and even when it cantRead MoreA Life Sketch of Plato and His Works905 Words   |  4 PagesGreek philosophers, Plato must remain the best known of all the Greeks. The original name of this Athenian aristocrat was Aristiclis, but in his school days he received the nickname Platon (meaning broad) because of his broad shoulders. Plato was born in Athens, Greece to one of the oldest and most distinguished families in the city. He lived with his mother, Perictione, and his father, Ariston (Until Ariston died.) Born in an aristocratic and rich family, Plato s childhood was indulgedRead MoreThe Theory Of The Philosophy Of Education Essay1538 Words   |  7 PagesTeaching Philosophy Emily E. Blackwell Athens State University Abstract Idealism, thought to be the creation of Greek philosopher, Plato, is the approach that teachers use to get students to ask and answer questions in order to reach the next level of education. The teacher will typically use a variety of inquiry based learning tactics. This school of thought is used to develop each students’ individual abilities and moral character. The idealist feels that with the development of moral characterRead MoreAccusations Against Socrates1014 Words   |  5 Pagesposed a threat to society was a factor, the most direct reason why Socrates was executed was his method to question wise Athenians. The Socratic method iniciated the corruption of youth by young men who tried to imitate Socrates and as a result, posed a threat to society since the next generation may not follow traditional Athenian rules. Early on, Socrates had clearly established to the Athenian s that he was not a Sophist. He had no intention to teach for money but instead to spread his newRead MoreSocrates Vs. Plato : The Essential Themes Of The Meno1633 Words   |  7 Pagesof context that is crucial to understanding the essential themes of the Meno, largely because the dialogue sits nearly at the beginning of western philosophy. Socrates and Plato are working not so much in the context of previous philosophies as in the context of the lack of them. Further, this is very probably one of Plato s earliest surviving dialogues, set in about 402 BCE (by extension, we might presume that it represents Socrates at a relatively early stage in his own thought). Nonetheless,Read MoreThe Philosophy of Socrates: a Lover of Wisdom2030 Words   |  9 PagesWisdom (2052 Words) THE PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES 2 The lessons of life that are delivered by Socrates act as a basis for Western philosophy. Plato, the writer of The Apology, significantly respects Socrates and his dialogues act as a framework for our understanding in the passages. Our only record of his life comes from his associates, as Socrates never documented his opinions. A clear expressionRead MoreThe Basic Principle Of Inquiry1195 Words   |  5 Pagesthinking. Ancient The Ancient Era of philosophy spanned from the 7th century B.C to the 5th century and consisted of 4 briefer eras; Pre-Socratic, Socratic, Hellenistic, and finished of with Roman. Many of the philosophers of this era came from Greece or Rome, but many Egyptian scholars also had significant ideas that were present during these times. Pre-Socratic Many of the works (such as plays, books, etc†¦) of this time period have been lost to history or we’ve only recovered portions of scriptures