Embracing the Socratic Method: Questioning Beliefs

How do we have “impossible conversations”? What is the basis of belief? How do we disagree fruitfully across philosophical, ideological, and religious divides? In an age of mass education, social media, and polarisation, it is more important than ever to cultivate the art of conversation and debate. But where do we begin? In order to unravel some of the complexities of modern discourse and suggest a way forward, the Ramsay Centre presents our third Ramsay Lecture for 2023, Dr Peter Boghossian on The Socratic Method in the Western Tradition.

 The Socratic Method is a form of argumentative dialogue based on asking and answering questions to draw out ideas and underlying assumptions. In this lecture, Peter Boghossian outlines how he has devised a template using the Socratic Method as a core element in discourse. He speculates on the role of dialectical processes, critical thinking, corrective mechanisms to test beliefs and assumptions, and attitudinal dispositions and also explains the method of his conversational technique known as ‘street epistemology’ for promoting reflection. 

 Please join us for this compelling lecture with Peter Boghossian.