Socratic method, also known as
maieutics,
method of elenchus,
elenctic method, or
Socratic debate, is named after the
classical Greek philosopher Socrates.
Elenchus is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate
critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions. It is a
dialectical method, often involving a discussion in which the defense of one point of view is questioned; one participant may lead another to contradict themselves in some way, thus weakening the defender's point. This method is introduced by Socrates in
Plato's
Theaetetus as
midwifery (
maieutics) because it is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors' beliefs, or to help them further their understanding.