Home Archived Research corner Back Research corner 20th February 2015, 12:00am Tes Editorial Share Research corner https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/research-corner-48 Copy Link ` ”Listen Then, or Rather, Answer”: Contemporary Challenges to Socratic Education’ by Fullam, JEducational Theory, 651: 53-71, February 2015 (Wiley)Its namesake may have died more than 2,000 years ago, but the Socratic method still informs education practice. In this paper, Jordan Fullam examines the work of French philosopher Jacques Rancire (pictured), who has launched a number of challenges to the Socratic approach.Fullam starts by reflecting on the stature of Socratic thought in modern education, noting its use in settings ranging from primary schools to college philosophy classes.Rancire’s main objection to this is that the Socratic approach subordinates the student’s intellect to the teacher’s, meaning that the students do not really think for themselves. In Rancire’s theory, Socratic education is stealthy, appearing to allow students to think independently but actually guiding them towards a position held by the teacher.To examine this claim, Fullam analyses the portrayal of the Socratic method as it appears in The Republic by Plato - one of the chief accounts of Socrates’ teaching. The text portrays moments where Socrates manipulates his students. In these terms, Rancire’s critique may well be justified.But Fullam points out that Socratic education in contemporary literature is not the same as that discussed by Plato. He notes that of all modern Socratic educational approaches, “none that are documented in educational literature include a strategy of leading questions in the manner Rancire identifies”.Fullam says that modern Socratic education is still valid and useful - but educators must take care not to slip into stultifying practices. “We often must remember that the most important part of our work is to get out of the way,” he concludes.Alexander TyndallShare your views by tweeting @tesHot off the pressLiving with the Stars by Karel Schrijver and Iris Schrijver (Oxford University Press)ISBN 9780198727439This book examines the many connections between the universe and the human body. In discussing subjects from microbes to the stars, it demonstrates how humans are inseparable from the world around us.The Oxford Illustrated History of the Reformation by Peter Marshall (Oxford University Press)ISBN 9780199595488This colourful book traces the Reformation from its explosive beginnings and explores how Christianity became a global religion, spreading beyond Europe to Asia and the Americas. It covers both the Protestant and Catholic reform movements, as well as the more radical offshoots.Savour the Fruits of Mathematics by Derek J Newport (Self-published)ISBN 9781783015634Derek J Newport describes a series of engineering scenarios with illustrations, before presenting a worked maths problem for each branch of mathematics covered. He discusses not just how mathematics works, but why it is important, particularly in the field of engineering.For book queries, please email chloe.darracott-cankovic@tesglobal.com Want to keep reading for free? Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters. Register Log in Keep reading for just £1 per month You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get: Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content Exclusive subscriber-only stories Award-winning email newsletters Subscribe now Read more Weekly round-up: Capita loses Sats and GCSE fears Tes Editorial • 18th April 2024 Reception Baseline Assessment: what you need to know Gráinne Hallahan • 3rd April 2024 Weekly round-up: Teacher pay drop and school moves Tes Editorial • 28th March 2024 Weekly round-up: Teacher pay and staff shortages Tes Editorial • 21st March 2024 Recent Most read Most shared Keegan: I’ll look at how we can fund teacher pay rise News 24 April 2024 Exams: How Ofqual plans to cope with AI News 24 April 2024 Modern language assistants disappear from Scottish state schools News 24 April 2024 A simple but radical new way to assess writing Teaching & Learning 22 April 2024 Fitness to teach cases in Scotland hit 10-year high News 23 April 2024 5 basic errors that ruin teacher job applications Analysis 23 April 2024 5 basic errors that ruin teacher job applications Analysis 23 April 2024 Starmer: Halt ‘damaging decline’ of PE News 22 April 2024 A 4-point plan for transparent AI use in schools Analysis 22 April 2024
