Oracle at Delphi

The reason I am smarter than anyone else is because I know I know nothing.

SOCRATIC SEMINAR

SOCRATIC SEMINARS ARE: COLLECTIVE INQUIRY AN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS NOT A TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION WITHOUT “RIGHT” ANSWERS

DIALOGUE SOCRATIC SEMINAR: The goal is an enlarged, shared understanding of ideas, issues, or values through DIALOGUE

WHAT IS DIALOGUE? It is NOT DEBATE

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE IS COLLABORATIVE DEBATE IS OPPOSITIONAL Multiple sides work toward shared understanding Two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE In DIALOGUE In DEBATE One listens One listens To understand To make meaning To find common ground One listens To find flaws To spot differences To counter arguments

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE DEBATE Reveals assumptions for examination and reevaluation Defends assumptions as truth

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE DEBATE Creates an open-minded attitude: an openness to being wrong An openness to change Creates a close-minded attitude: A determination to be right

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE In DIALOGUE In DEBATE One submits one’s best thinking, expecting other people’s reflections will help improve it, rather than threaten it One submits one’s best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE DEBATE Calls for temporarily suspending one’s beliefs Calls for investing wholeheartedly in one’s beliefs

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE in DIALOGUE In DEBATE One searches for strengths in all positions One searches for weaknesses in the other position

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE DEBATE Respects all the other participants and seeks NOT to alienate or offend Rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or deprecate other participants

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE DEBATE Assumes that many people have pieces of answers and that cooperation can lead to greater understanding Assumes a single right answer that somebody already has

DIALOGUE AND DEBATE DIALOGUE DEBATE Remains open-ended. Demands a conclusion.

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES INNER CIRCLE OUTER CIRCLE SPEAKING OBSERVING ONE EMPTY SEAT To allow an observer the Opportunity to join the Inner circle and participate

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES Inner Group #1 – discusses the topic for 15 minutes Outer Group #1 – May enter discussion by posing questions and assertions to inner participants based upon their outer circle tasks notes. This involves both circles and lasts 10 minutes Inner Group #2 – assumes the inner circle seats and discusses same or new topic for 15 minutes Outer Group #2 – gets to enter discussion for the following 10 minutes based on outer circle task sheet notes This leaves approximately 10 minutes for a wrap up of key points

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES OTHER COMPONENTS PARTICIPANTS LEADER TEXT All participants read the text in advance. QUESTIONS Prepare open-ended questions in advance that reflect genuine curiosity, and have no ‘one right answer’!

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES OTHER COMPONENTS DON’T RAISE HANDS LISTEN CAREFULLY WAIT FOR YOUR TURN- BE SENSITIVE AND DO NOT INTERRUPT OTHERS ADDRESS ONE ANOTHER RESPECTFULLY

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES OTHER COMPONENTS ADDRESS COMMENTS TO THE ENTIRE GROUP ( NO SIDE CONVERSATIONS) MONITOR ‘AIR TIME’ (NO HOGGING – LET EVERYONE HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK) BASE ALL OPINION ON THE TEXT AND BE ABLE TO REFER OTHERS TO IT

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES OTHER COMPONENTS BE COURAGEOUS IN PRESENTING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND REASONING, BUT BE FLEXIBLE AND WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND IN THE FACE OF NEW AND COMPELLING EVIDENCE

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES OTHER COMPONENTS Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not “learning a subject;” your goal is to understand ideas, issues and values reflected in the text. It s OK to “pass” when asked to contribute (but you need to make at least 2 comments to receive credit). Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session Do not stay confused; ask for clarification. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to. Speak so that everyone can hear you. YOU are responsible for the seminar. (If the seminar sucks, that’s on you; if it rocks, that’s on you too!)

GRADING –You will either receive or lose points for the following actions: POSITIVE NEGATIVE Taking a position Making a relevant comment Offering evidence to support your position Drawing another person into the discussion Asking a clarifying question Making an analogy Recognizing a contradiction Recognizing an irrelevant comment Not paying attention (in inner or outer circle) Interrupting the seminar Making an irrelevant comment Making a personal attack Monopolizing the conversation