Dialogue and Discovery

A Study in Socratic Method

Kenneth Seeskin

• Publisher: SUNY Press
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9780887063367, 9780887063374
• eBook ISBN: 9781438419329
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Philosophy History & Theory

This book examines the Socratic method of elenchus, or refutation. Refutation by its very nature is a conflict, which in the hands of Plato becomes high drama. The continuing conversation in which it occurs is more a test of character than of intellect. Dialogue and Discovery shows that, in his conversations, Socrates seeks to define moral qualities-moral essences-with the goal of improving the soul of the respondent.

Ethics underlies epistemology because the discovery of philosophic truth imposes moral demands on the respondent. The recognition that moral qualities such as honesty, humility, and courage are necessary to successful inquiry is the key to the understanding of the Socratic paradox that virtue is knowledge.

The dialogues receiving the most emphasis are the Apology, Gorgias, Protagoras, and Meno.

Table of contents

• Dialogue and Discovery
• Contents
• Preface
• Chapter One: Socratic Philosophy and the Dialogue Form
• Chapter Two: Dialogue and the Search for Essence
• Chapter Three: Socrates as Speech Maker
• Chapter Four: Socrates as Hero
• Chapter Five: Socrates as Teacher
• Chapter Six: Socrates and the Teaching of Virtue
• 1. Protagoras and Gorgias on Moral Improvement
• 2. Socratic Doubts about the Teaching of Virtue
• 3. Meno's Need for Virtue and the Therapeutic Effects of Elenchus
• 4. Virtue, Teaching, and Recollection
• 5. Did Meno Learn Virtue?
• 6. Platonic Afterthoughts
• Chapter Seven: Conclusion: Virtue and Knowledge
• Appendix: Gorgias' Apology of Palamedes
• Bibliography
• Index of Names
• Index of Subjects
• Index of Sources