Socratic irony

American  

[suh-krat-ik ahy-ruh-nee, ahyer-, soh-] / səˈkræt ɪk ˈaɪ rə ni, ˈaɪər-, soʊ- /

noun

1. pretended ignorance in discussion.

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Socratic irony British  

noun

1. philosophy a means by which the pretended ignorance of a skilful questioner leads the person answering to expose his own ignorance

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Etymology

Origin of Socratic irony

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Or maybe it was a different problem: In classic Socratic irony, there has to be somebody who doesn’t get the joke, and I had a sneaking suspicion it might be me.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2017

By a method of quiet cross-examination, the "Socratic irony," he made them aware of their lack of clear ideas and tenable, consistent opinions, and endeavored to guide them aright.

From Outline of Universal History by Fisher, George Park

The statements of the Memorabilia respecting the trial and death of Socrates agree generally with Plato; but they have lost the flavour of Socratic irony in the narrative of Xenophon.

From Apology by Jowett, Benjamin

Many of these, with a sort of Socratic irony, gave themselves ludicrous names, or names expressive of ignorance.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

In this passage we can see, too, the supposed origin of another peculiar Socratic feature, the Socratic "irony."

From A Critical History of Greek Philosophy by Stace, W. T. (Walter Terence)