The Socratic Method: A Practitioner's Handbook

I first discovered Ward Farnsworth's work when I happened across some of his work on law, and found it in equal parts accessible, insightful, and illuminating. It was my great fortune to later discover that he's written on a wide variety of other topics, and always seems to have something of great value to say. To an interdisciplinarian like myself, this diversity of topics is more than welcome, but further reflection, especially upon reading this latest offering on the Socratic Method, makes me think there's actually a great unifying purpose behind many (if not all) of his books: Ward Farnsworth is teaching us how to think. Whether examining the finer points of legal thought (The Legal Analyst), training us to evaluate the complexities of chess positions (Predator at the Chessboard), or explaining how we can use Socratic questioning to improve our own thinking (the present book), he reliably presents deep information in a way that has the potential to elevate the reader's own cognition.This book is perhaps the best source I've read on the Socratic method. That's not to say it's the best book about Socrates--it isn't and doesn't try to be. But if you're looking to develop a deep (or deeper) understanding of the mechanics of the Socratic method itself, I don't think you could do any better. Rich with examples and quotations, the book will turn the complete novice into an informed practitioner of the Socratic method (and the experienced Socratic thinker into a more refined one). Though other books have thoroughly treated the topic from a variety of angles, I don't know of any other that manages to provide detailed and comprehensible *instruction* in the Socratic method without devolving into a formulaic step-by-step process that loses almost everything of value in the method itself. This book does so, and manages to be an entertaining read at the same time.Readers familiar with Farnsworth's previous work (particularly his The Practicing Stoic) will take delight in this book's further consideration of Greek philosophy, especially its fifteenth and sixteenth chapters concerning how Socratic thought has been carried in various directions by the Stoics and Skeptics. These connections make it easy to fit this work within the larger conversation Farnsworth has been having with his readers over the course of his several books.On the other hand, those interested in becoming more skilled practitioners of the Socratic method may find the greatest value in the seventeenth and eighteenth chapters (and the epilogue) which come the closest one possibly could to supplying a formula for Socratic inquiry (without losing sight of the method's art in the process, however).However, I maintain that all of us would do well to spend some time with Socrates. This form of thinking, unnatural to the human mind but immeasurably valuable, is an important and timely antidote to the kinds of bad thinking that have been amplified (particularly by social media) in recent years, as the author acknowledges openly in the preface. And if one wants to explore the world of Socratic thought, I can think of no finer guide than Ward Farnsworth.

Well written explanation.

I always wanted to know more about this particular style because it seems that people who claim to be classical in method tend to reduce Socratic method to merely discussing a topic with no sort of structure. Farnsworth lays it all out in a manner that is easily to consume with plenty of footnotes if you want to go deeper.

This book describes and makes a case for the importance of the Socratic method, and how we can incorporate it more into our lives. It’s a way of thinking about ones held opinions, as well as an approach to discussions with others, that can lead everyone closer to truth. If not closer to truth, then greater clarity - the method at least brings hidden assumptions and beliefs to light that are at the root of why we hold the opinions we have. This can often lead to the realization that we don’t even agree with ourselves, and that we don’t understand what we are talking about as much as we feel we do. This is a book that I wish everyone would read.

​The mind left to itself will inevitably form bad habits, the worst of which is belief.​ Belief has two parts. The first is ostensible - there is a god, man is warming the planet, Pepsi is better than Coke, my husband is cheating on me. The second is belief that the belief is true.Of course, it's not the belief that gets us in trouble, it's believing it's true when that just ain't so. Our stupidity blocks us from recognizing our own stupidity. Exhibit A: anti-vaxxer carnage from Covid.The good news: there is a patch for this bug and it's been available for 2,500 years. Applying the patch takes some skill and Ward Farnsworth does a wonderful job of breaking this down in this insightful and compelling work.This book is timely. Divisiveness and hate has never been more rife. According to the latest Pew survey, 90% of Republicans believe the Democrats are destroying the country AND VICA VERSA! Meanwhile, civitas is circling the drain from lead-pipe internet poisoning.There are many ways to combat irrationality and idiocy. Socratic method is no more complex than Bayseian reasoning, deep canvassing, perspective taking or any of the other persuasion methodology. Practiced properly, not only will it move us a little closer to the truth, but it will render a rare virtue required to move our species forward - humility.Thanks Ward for this user manual.

Um livro muito bem escrito em uma perspectiva ampla e profunda. Bem organizado e inspirador! Estou utilizando com meus alunos do curso de Lógica para Ciência da Computação na perspectiva da lógica como um diálogo em um estilo Socrático. O autor(Ward) me fez realizar várias perguntas sobre as possibilidades de se praticar o método socrático na sala de aula.

I have tried to read some Socratic dialogues but never finished them. I found it hard to be interested in hair splitting debate on the meaning of virtue etc. So I was tempted to buy this practitioner guide to fill a gap in my knowledge. I found it an easy and useful guide to Socrates, his times, and importantly his method.

A philosophy for life. To be read and reread.