elenchus

Definition:

In a dialogue, the so-called "Socratic method" of questioning someone to test the cogency or credibility of what he or she has said.

See also:

• Dialectic
• Socratic Dialogue
• Aporia
• Argument
• Dissoi Logoi
• Proof
• Refutation

Etymology:

From the Greek, to refute, examine critically

Observations:

• "Socrates' famous method of refutation--the elenchus--tended to induce the experience of emptiness in others: an interlocutor would begin thinking he knew what justice or courage or piety is, and in the course of the conversation would be reduced to confusion and self-contradiction. For his own part, Socrates was the ancient Hellenic version of the Cheshire cat, fading away into his own smile. . . . In short, Socrates had an uncanny gift for bringing others to the brink of anxiety."
  (Jonathan Lear, "The Examined Life." The New York Times, Oct. 25, 1998)



• "Various terms are used in [Plato's] dialogues in connection with Socrates' manner of inquiring and interrogating, but none of them is used consistently by Plato in any precise or technical way that would legitimize it as Plato's label for the philosopher's approach. . . .
  
  "Still, in the last 30 or 40 years, it has become rather standard for commentators to use the term 'Socratic elenchus' as a label for Socrates' way of philosophizing in the dialogues. . . .
  
  "It is fundamentally unclear whether 'the elenchus' is supposed to refer to a process (in which case it could mean to 'cross-examine,' 'to put to the test,' 'to put to the proof,' or 'to indicate') or a result (in which case it could mean 'to shame,' 'to refute,' or 'to prove'). In short, there is no general agreement about 'the elenchus,' and therefore no consensus either about its employment in the dialogues."
  (Gary Alan Scott, Introduction to Does Socrates Have a Method?: Rethinking the Elenchus in Plato's Dialogues. Penn State, 2004)

Also Known As: Socratic method, elenctic method

Alternate Spellings: elenchos