Legal Definitions - Socratic method

The Socratic method is a technique used in philosophical discussions and law schoolinstruction. It involves a questioner, usually a law professor, asking questions to one or more followers, typically law students. The questioner builds on each answer with another question, often using analogies to incorporate the answer.

The method is named after the Greek philosopher Socrates, who lived in Athens from 469-399 B.C. It is commonly used in law schools because it teaches students to think through issues rationally and deductively, which is a crucial skill in the practice of law. Law professors who use this method often call on students randomly to teach them to think quickly and without stage fright.

For example, a law professor might ask a student to define the legal concept of "reasonable doubt." The student might respond with a definition, and the professor might then ask a follow-up question, such as "How does this definition apply to the current case we are studying?" The professor might then use an analogy to further illustrate the concept.

The Socratic method is often compared to obstetrics because it is an art of inducing interlocutors to develop their own ideas under a catechetical system. Socrates himself did not claim to be capable of teaching anything except consciousness of ignorance.