Socratic questions
Socratic questions are a way of inquiry that helps explore assumptions, evidence, consequences, and alternative interpretations.
Definition
Socratic questions are used in education, reflection, and cognitive therapy to test automatic thoughts and beliefs. They are not about interrogating or proving someone wrong, but about conducting a calm inquiry: how do I know this, what evidence is there, what am I leaving out, what is the alternative and what results from it.
Key ideas
- Examination of assumptions
- Evidence and alternatives
- Reflection without imposing answers
Practice and life
With a strong thought, ask three questions: "What evidence do I have?", "What can I leave out?" and “What interpretation would be more balanced?”
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to use Socratic questions to question someone's feelings. The second mistake is asking questions in such a way that they covertly lead to a predetermined answer.
> A good question doesn't push you to an answer; it opens a space in which the answer can mature.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What assumption is at work here?
- What data supports this idea and what contradicts it?
- What would I say to someone close to me in the same situation?