Socrates and the Method of the Elenchus
Constantly Questioning Human Truth and Moral Behaviour
Jan 21, 2009
Socrates (470-399 BC) has been one the most profound and influential thinkers in the history of philosophy. He was part of the Sophist/Humanist movement, where the focus was on human nature and life. For them it was more important to study the nomos, human law, as opposed to phusis, which was the study of nature and natural elements.
Cultural and Personal Relativism
Since the Sophists made “mankind the measure of all things,” a phrase attributed to one of the first Sophists Protagoras (490-420 BC), truth had become a relative matter since they refuted god-given, divine or absolute truths. They had a humanistic preference for their own perceptions and experiences and made truth relative to each perceiver.
This stance led to the practice of cultural relativism, the acceptance and tolerance of other cultures and traditions, although one should keep in mind that the ancient Greeks were "cultural chauvinists" as they saw themselves as the most superior and advanced culture (Hardy Leahey).
Discussion over Written Knowledge, Scriptures, and Books
Socrates defied the values of his time and insisted on the importance of discussion over scripture. In fact, he never proposed a systematic philosophy, nor has he started any particular schools or written any books. All anyone knows about him comes from secondary sources, which include another famous and influential philosopher in his own right, Plato.
The dialectic method that Socrates used was the “elenchus”, a special kind of dialogue based on asking questions to let the other person realize logical errors or inconsistencies in his or her philosophy. Socrates never claimed to know the truth, but was always on the search for it himself. He compared himself to a “midwife” who helps others achieve some kind of self-realization through the use of questions and doubt instead of using dogmas and descriptions. Each person, in a similar vein as in existentialism, ought to find their own personally resonant truth.
Human Nature and Innate Moral Truth
When it comes to morality, Socrates claims that there is a state of aporia, which is based on “enlightened ignorance”. It means that one should not accept truths as absolute but keep an open mind and accept one’s own lack and limits of knowledge. Nonetheless, people intuitively know the moral truth; deep within they know what is right or wrong, but they tend not to have access to that knowledge and hence often stray from the path of good and moral conduct.
His view of human nature has important repercussions, as Socrates believes that mankind is essentially good and that vicious and evil behavior is based on ignorance. The perfect state of happiness is called eudaemonia, to have knowledge of the good will which would in turn affect and produce good moral behaviour.
As can be seen the philosophy of Socrates includes searching within oneself and attempting to attain knowledge about oneself and one’s nature. Socrates may not give a specific or concrete philosophy to follow but he provides the tool or instrument to achieve that goal through the medium of dialectic questioning, the “elenchus”.
Sources
Hardy Leahey, Thomas. A History of Psychology: Main Currents in Psychological Thought. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1997.
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