The document outlines an agenda for discussing Plato's dialogue "The Meno" and applying the Socratic method. It introduces the Socratic method as involving presenting a problem or question, Socrates asking simple but insightful questions that reveal weaknesses in students' definitions or positions, and ending with the need for further pursuit of truth. It provides an example of questioning to define a chair. The rest of the document provides topics and definitions for discussion using the Socratic method and assigns further readings in Plato and Aristotle and choosing a current education issue.

1. “THE MENO” BY PLATO
TEACHING AND LEARNING

2. Review Assignments that are due. Any
Questions so far?
Discuss Plato’s Meno
Practice using the Socratic Method
Apply Socratic Questioning to your
preliminary philosophy of education.
TONIGHT’S AGENDA

3. The Dialogue
Who is speaking?
What is the topic?
What did you learn about
virtue?
What did you learn about
how Socrates taught?
What is one quote or idea
that was especially
meaningful to you?
“THE MENO”

4. Usually, as depicted in the Plato’s Dialogues, the Socratic Method has three
elements:
1) A problem is presented. It is often a question of definition, e.g., what is justice,
what is the good life, what is a fish, etc.
2) Socrates then asks seemingly simple, but actually brilliant questions, pointing
out weaknesses of the definition for students to answer.
3) Generally, the discussion ends without an agreed upon solution. The usual
ending is that all accept that they must pursue the truth more vigorously.
THE SOCRATIC
METHOD

5. http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=EB4MYGInRl4
HOW TO DO IT

6. What is a chair?
1. Initial Definition
2. Question that names
an Exception to that
Definition
3. A New Definition
EXAMPLE

7. WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?
HOW DO WE KNOW KNOWLEDGE IS REAL?
CAN KNOWLEDGE BE TAUGHT?
WHAT IS LEARNING?
HOW DO WE LEARN?
WHAT IS TEACHING?
HOW DO WE TEACH?
HOW DOES THE ANCIENT TEXT OF THE
MENO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PHILOSOPHY
OF EDUCATION?
LET’S TRY IT!

8. WHY USE THE
SOCRATIC METHOD?
LEARN TO ASK QUESTIONS
LEARN A WAY TO DISCOVER KNOWLEDGE
ANALYZE WHAT KNOWLEDGE IS MOST IMPORTANT
SEARCH FOR TRUE/CORRECT ANSWERS/BETTER
DEFINITIONS
UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY OF KNOWLEDGE
UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY OF A QUESTION

9. TO LEARN HOW TO BREAK DOWN COMPLEXITY TO
SIMPLICITY
TO FIND THE BEST POSSIBLE SOULTION TO A
PROBLEM
TO ENGAGE THE LEARNERS IN THE LEARNING
TO LEARN TO LEARN FOR LEARNING’S SAKE-
[Intrinsic Motivation]
TO DISCOVER ONE’S VALUES & BELIEFS
TEACHES CRITICAL
THINKING

10. CAN BE USED TO ADDRESS
TODAY’S ISSUES

11. YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF
EDUCATION
Select a value about education you expressed in your preliminary
philosophy essay and using the Socratic Method of questioning write
a definition of it.
Be prepared to discuss it when finished.

12. Read and be prepared to discuss
Plato’s Republic
And
Aristole’s Nicomachean Ethics
Choose a current education issue that you would like to discuss for
the
Issue Essay Assignment
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT TIME