<P> The Socratic method , also can be known as maieutics , method of elenchus , elenctic method , or Socratic debate , is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals , based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions . It is a dialectical method , involving a discussion in which the defense of one point of view is questioned ; one participant may lead another to contradict themselves in some way , thus weakening the defender 's point . This method is named after the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates and is introduced by him in Plato 's Theaetetus as midwifery ( maieutics ) because it is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors ' beliefs , or to help them further their understanding . </P>
<P> The Socratic method , also can be known as maieutics , method of elenchus , elenctic method , or Socratic debate , is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals , based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions . It is a dialectical method , involving a discussion in which the defense of one point of view is questioned ; one participant may lead another to contradict themselves in some way , thus weakening the defender 's point . This method is named after the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates and is introduced by him in Plato 's Theaetetus as midwifery ( maieutics ) because it is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors ' beliefs , or to help them further their understanding . </P>
who used a question and answer method of arriving at important truths
who used a question and answer method of arriving at important truths
Socrates
Socrates