This document outlines what a Socratic seminar is and how to conduct one. It explains that a Socratic seminar aims to develop critical thinking skills through open-ended dialogue about a text, rather than debate where participants try to prove each other wrong. The key elements of an effective seminar are a text to stimulate discussion, open-ended questions to guide dialogue, a leader to facilitate the discussion, and prepared participants who actively listen to each other and support their views with evidence from the text.

1. Socratic Seminar
{
What it is, how to do it!

2. The philosopher
Socrates (469-399
BCE) believed that
enabling students to
think for themselves was
more important than
filling their heads
with the “right
answers.”

3. In a seminar,
participants
seek a deeper
understanding of
complex ideas
through rigorously
thoughtful dialogue,
rather than by
memorizing bits of
information.

4. Starting Dialogue…
-Asking questions is the key!
-A leader prompts the dialogue.
-Participants learn to be less attached to
their ideas and less reliant on persuasion for
influencing opinions.
-Dialogue is a skill of collaboration that
enables groups to create collective thinking.

5. NOT
debate!! 
 Dialogue

6. DEBATE…
• Is oppositional
• One listens to
counter arguments
• Affirm one’s own
point of view
• Defend assumptions
as truth
• Creates a close-minded
attitude
DIALOGUE…
• Is collaborative
• One listens to find
common ground
• Enlarges points of
view
• Reveals assumptions
for re-evaluation
• Creates an open-minded
attitude

7. A successful seminar consists of 4 elements:
1.The text being considered
2.The questions raised
3.The seminar leader
4.The participants

8. Socratic Seminar texts are chosen for their richness
in ideas, issues, and values, and their ability to
stimulate extended, thoughtful dialogue.

9. An opening question DOES NOT
HAVE A RIGHT ANSWER—
it reflects genuine curiosity on the
part of the reader.
Should corporations
have the right to refuse
healthcare benefits to
gay spouses?

10. The seminar leader…
-Plays a dual role as leader and participant
-Thoughtfully leads a curious exploration of ideas in the text
-Acts as a seminar participant who actively engages in the group
exploration of the text.
-Helps participants clarify their thoughts when they get confused
-Tries to involve quiet participants and restrain their more vocal peers

11. Seminars are best when participants:
-Have studied the text closely in advance.
-Listen actively.
-Share their ideas and questions in response to others.
-Search for evidence in the text to support their ideas.

12. Example seminar questions:
-How did you come to that conclusion?
-What would you say to someone who said __?
-Are the reasons adequate? Why?
-What led you to that belief?
-How does that apply to this case?
-What would change your mind?
-Who would know if that’s true?
-What did you mean by “they?”
-What view would be in opposition to what you
are saying?