Socratic Questions
What Works to Build Mental Immunity - #11
Socratic questions1 are a good way to prompt deeper and more careful thinking. For thousands of years, philosophers have employed them to spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and build immunity to bad ideas. Socratic questions promote accountable thought, cognitive autonomy, and active open-minded thinking (AOT).
Applications
When students express views that might turn out to be problematic, ask clarifying questions.
Ask them why they believe what they do. Invite them to examine their reasons. Are they good reasons? Why or why not? What assumptions are they making? What are the alternatives?
Such exchanges should always be friendly, affirming, and supportive, never combative. The infographic included here should be a helpful starting point.2
Notes
Use questions to draw out students’ own ideas about a subject.3 Then use follow-up questions to help them examine those ideas. Be careful, though, not to make students defensive. The interaction should be non-confrontational. Give students the time and space to think things through. Socratic questions should illuminate assumptions. They can call attention to gaps in arguments and reveal the limits of our knowledge. They should foster skepticism of simplistic answers. Wielded skillfully, they will encourage students to be active, curious, and exploratory.
Learn More
What is the Socratic Method (YouTube video)
For all the modules in one place, visit our What Works to Build Mental Immunity Website page! See what’s to come and download PDF versions of these modules.
This post is part of our “What Works” series for educators and researchers.
We are open to incorporating feedback into these modules before we publish them on our website. Please comment on this post to provide suggestions. We’re particularly interested in additional applications, resources, and readings. All constructive feedback is welcomed. Thank you!
Wikipedia, Socratic questioning
Jame Bowman, Socratic questions revisited [infographic]
Colorado State University, The Socratic Method: Fostering Critical Thinking