Socratic

[ suh-krat-ik, soh- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Socrates or his philosophy, followers, etc., or to the Socratic method.

noun

1. a follower of Socrates.
2. any of the Greek philosophers influenced by Socrates.

Socratic

/ ˈsɒkrətɪst; sɒˈkrætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Socrates, his methods, etc

noun

1. a person who follows the teachings of Socrates

Derived Forms

• Soˈcratiˌcism, noun
• Soˈcratically, adverb
• Socratist, noun

Other Words From

• So·crat·i·cal·ly adverb
• an·ti-So·crat·ic adjective
• post-So·crat·ic adjective
• pro-So·crat·ic adjective
• pseu·do-So·crat·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Socratic¹

1630–40; < Latin Sōcraticus < Greek Sōkratikós of, pertaining to Socrates; -ic

Example Sentences

Many teachers now think of the Socratic method as the technique of encouraging students to say whatever they know about a topic.

From The Daily Beast

Often Socratic conversation induces utter confusion—the ancient Greek word is aporia—and ends with no clear solution to a problem.

From The Daily Beast

You need philosophy, not the modern bull session kind but the Socratic method of “What the hell am I thinking?”

From The Daily Beast

Socratic dialogue during strenuous exercise: take that, effete philosophers!

From The Daily Beast

Solomon recounts a recurring Socratic dialogue between Robbins and Stein, Bock, and Harnick.

From The Daily Beast

The Socratic philosophy, as expounded by Plato, survived the wrecks of material greatness.

From Project Gutenberg

I did not like the Socratic method he had adopted in this conversation, and I turned the tables on him.

From Project Gutenberg

To gain time for thought he fell back upon the Socratic method, and began asking questions.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot have a doubt that it was strength of tradition that imputed such a use of the Socratic name and character to Plato.

From Project Gutenberg

Haeckel's system is mainly poetico-mythical, chiefly on the lines of some of the pre-Socratic philosophers.

From Project Gutenberg