Socratic Questioning: How to get to the Truth

Getting to the truth is rarely easy, especially because "truth" can be such a loose concept. One way of getting to the truth is the "Socratic method" or "Socratic questioning"...
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[@Vicvines]

Therapists do this a lot when trying to get a client to change their thinking about a situation. When I was in college, I debated people, and I always took it so personally, and it was an ego thing for me. A therapist asked me questions and I ended up realizing the ego was the problem.

[@PersonalPower]

Our ego is so often the problem

[@cartergomez5390]

Usually psychologists try to get a client to change their thinking. Therapists do research to understand the behavior and then apply analysis in order to evaluate if the new behavior is working.

[@Pleebian94]

You can say that applies to a lot of people nowadays. They get worked up over things they do not control and like to act like they are holier than though, especially if you just keep asking questions about why they believe a certain way and what caused them to inherit those beliefs.

[@dima-jw7lt]

@@Pleebian94 I experienced this...

[@jamelbunny5732]

@@dima-jw7lt same

[@g.elizabeth___]

As a trainee CBT therapist I found this really helpful thank you!

[@KeiranBro]

We are truly on the same page lately, Bemjamin! I've been thinking a lot about the Socratic Method lately! It has a big place in the world right now! Let's keep doing our work as Stoic philosiphers :) Thank you for your great content!

[@PersonalPower]

Wonderful to hear that. I agree, lets stay on that stoic journey and thanks for the support my man!

[@Spider-PunkOffical]

I hate to disagree with you, but the way this generation is, the Socratic method has no place in the world. Many people, especially not this current generation, will not think the way you do. They will only want straightforward answers and are too stubborn to think about further questions.

[@truenorthaffirmations7049]

Always a new perspective🤘🔥🤘

[@PersonalPower]

that's what it's all about!

[@lararose1634]

This is excellent. Thank you.

[@PersonalPower]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sarahfellows3074]

I think it's also a nicer way to discuss things as people can be defensive when you present them with facts or counter arguments, well hopefully tht would be true

[@PersonalPower]

its indeed a good tool to avoid defensiveness!

[@Ashnesss]

It’s fairly difficult to have discussions with someone who cannot accept facts. Especially when it involves discussions around problems or ideas, which there are examples of. It’s also difficult to have discussions with people who’s definitions stem from religion. Not their own questions, answers and processes.

[@creatureofthenight852]

@@Ashnesss at this point I don't bother those who have other beliefs. Personally I believe I don't know what happens when we die, I think it's wise to assume we go back to the ground. Never to exist unless you wanna get deep and argue we're "one" so it can be reincarnation. But a supreme creator is highly unlikely in my common sense, and then when I break it down further to try and understand I'm only left with more questions. I've been guided into Christianity till my independence. It feels like a cult, a good tool and sometimes a misused tool. When people around me wanna get into religion I may tend to agree just out of pressure of a debate, I've debated so many religious people. So I know what to expect and know not how to get around there sort of weird questioning/ answering. It's difficult to corner anyone religious. Even though I just wanna let them know what I believe isn't because I'm stupid or evil, I have a good reason. I'd like to try this method of questioning, since it's how I've learned to question anything truly troubling me

[@UKAviationMovies]

Great video. Very interesting topic and really well explained 👍

[@PersonalPower]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@autodidacticasaurus]

This is an excellent introduction.

[@jscarpa2002]

Benjamin's next video " What to say to people when they tell you you are asking them too many questions".

[@deathcerri]

What books would you recommend to get into stoicism. Thank you for your time, i really enjoy your videos

[@PersonalPower]

that depends on what you are looking for. If you want a more modern book to start with then you could pick up "the obstacle is the way", "ego is the enemy" both from Ryan Holiday or "How to be a stoic" by Massimo Pigliucci. If you want one from the classics then I'd start with "The Enchiridion" by Epictetuts because that one is incredibly short, yet filled with stoicism. Alternatively, "the Meditations" are probably the go to stoic piece that most people read.

[@deathcerri]

@@PersonalPower Thank you. One last question, regarding dating books. I have read Models by Mark Manson and How to be a 3 percent men by Coray Wayne (10-15 times i know haha), are these two enough because i have little to no dating experience and like you have friendzone problems. Any other books regarding dating,female psychology, attraction etc that helped you?

[@PersonalPower]

@@deathcerri sorry for the very late reply. I think corey waynes book did wonders for me. Otherwise there is a book called "the female brain" (not entirely sure) which is quite interesting for understanding women. However, it is not a dating book but rather a book just about the way women think

[@jodown5584]

Look up Ward Farnsworth. He's got both a book on stoicism and one on the Socratic Method. They're both great books, and they both have an excellent Audible version, too. Also, reading Seneca's letters is a must if you're into stoicism. There's also a good audiobook of that, and with an incredible narrator. I also recommend reading Xenophon's Memorabilia, which is all about Socrates.

[@judyrubio1261]

What is the name of the free audible? Link didn't work for. Also, do you have a written summary of the process? Would you ever start with the reasons of the held belief first?

[@khomikoow5994]

I didn’t even know this was a thing. When I do this with people, they tend to do anything to stop this method in it’s tracks once they notice they’re being cornered.

[@paddlefar9175]

Could it be that you are being perhaps slightly too hurried or obvious in your conversational intent? If you are too forceful or hurried to get them to reach an intended end point or objective, “ being cornered”, you can often tend to lose them and they will see a trap of sorts. You might have to be a little more patient and less eager in your approach. Sometimes you have to be satisfied with baby steps toward a beneficial goal or point of understanding, especially where ongoing talks are likely to happen, like with family. Settling smaller goals at first, will be very beneficial later on, sometimes. Have you first just truly tried to figure out what their perspective is and really tried to understand it, even if you really disagree with their thinking? Often, If you have carefully listened to what their answers are, to your questions, and you repeat what you think they are trying to say, and ask for clarification or correction if you get anything wrong, as honestly and charitably as you can, they will often warm to your questioning more, because they will feel that you really are trying to hear what they are trying to articulate and that in itself is incredibly important to most people. If you remind yourself that you shouldn’t be trying to win/own the conversation, but rather just trying to get them to really think about their reasons for believing the way they do and explaining why, with your guided questions, they are more likely to think more carefully about whether their position is rational, fair, reasonable, backed by evidence, unbiased, etc. with the possibility open in your mind as well, that they might have something to teach you too, at least in understanding why they think the way they do.

[@Valentina-ln9dy]

Thank you.

[@bjchorny]

ADD & OCD combine well when it comes to covering a broad range of materials to a great depth in each

[@brightkamfuli8656]

wow, after watching this presentation, i feel ignorant, i would love to dig deeper into the socratic methods. what books would you recommend me to get to enhance my thinking process with regards to the socratic methods?

[@PersonalPower]

Admittedly, I don't have any suggestions for the socratic method specifically. I personally went through some of Platos stuff (since socrates did not actually write anything). However, after a quick search I came across this: amzn.to/2URGIjt I can't vouch for it but maybe it is worth checking out. If you pick it up then be sure to let me know whether it is any good!

[@shmanks02]

Here's two brother. Penguin Books: Plato: Gorgias Plato: The Republic

[@Pleebian94]

@@shmanks02 Not related but The Meditations by Marcus Aurlieus from Penguin is a must have.

[@bhante1345]

Video starts at 5:20

[@sherwinh1661]

Thanks ! Saved me time

[@christineyu9286]

Thanks

[@mohammedanees4410]

thanks

[@thewitch8656]

Keep up, das ist toll 👏

[@PersonalPower]

will do, thanks for the comment!

[@harkapp4135]

Hello! Can I please share this video on my Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr dedicated to Civil Discourse and Mutual Understanding?? I think our community will really benefit from your video! Please let me know - thanks!

[@PersonalPower]

Yeah sure, you can share the link! I'm always happy when more people watch the videos!

[@harkapp4135]

@@PersonalPower Thanks! I'll let you know when we are going to share your video.

[@gusherrera3609]

I don’t pretend to know what I don’t know!

[@theliamofella]

I started using the socriatic method before I knew about the socriatic method, Just asking people questions about a certain discussion from the standpoint that I really want to understand what they are saying from the basis that I know nothing about the subject and I want to understand the real fundamentals of the question at hand

[@PersonalPower]

using it before knowing about it is the best thing since you truly do it for the benefits and not because some dude in a video said it would be great!

[@theliamofella]

@@PersonalPower still a great video though 👍✌️

[@theliamofella]

@@PersonalPower just found your KZbin page, great channel

[@Pleebian94]

One should be careful in asking too much questions, a lot of people have big egos and like to think their opinion is divine and will go to great lengths to literally have the last word. Just from my experience.

[@theliamofella]

@@Pleebian94 yes one should be carful, one has a big ego doesn’t one

[@thegroove2000]

I am only starting to understand the power of asking the right probing, challenging questions, whereby even their silence speaks loudly.

[@zhan-iy3ms]

I'm the first person to like this comment. That too, after a whole year .

[@sahilhossian8212]

Lore of Socratic Questioning: How to get to the Truth momentum 100

[@beinghuman3484]

oh man. can we get english auto generated subtitles?

[@PersonalPower]

I just double checked apparently there is no option for auto generated subtitles on this one, sorry.

[@FiveSolasMap]

What is the reason you chose religion and belief systems as the example for this video?

[@PersonalPower]

I think it seemed like an accessible topic for this type of video. Many have a strong opinion on religion and well belief systems kinda determine all our lives. Edit: Also, no need to believe me, there are many other good resources out there!

[@FiveSolasMap]

@@PersonalPower It seems we agree that each person formulates a worldview that shapes their interactions with others. What would you say regarding the role implicit bias plays in the Socratic method?

[@anam.caballerowilson9421]

Truth is scary though. True. You don't get the right answers if not the right questions 😅 making sense of

[@ekhartgeorgi4412]

1:56 "Think hardly about these facts" = almost don't think about them.

[@acytra1020]

You can’t Change someone’s mind but you can get them to think

[@patrickdisalvo6532]

"The Socratic method is not a tool for being superior to others, and making others feel inferior to the questioner" - Nietzsche would strongly disagree.

[@nevereatsoggywaffles1109]

Me: trying to listen. Also me: starting at the wRiNkLeS

[@guayabita27able]

I wonder what would happen if I ask Socratic questions and I receive in return another one….Personally , I feel intimidated when people ask me questions, specially those who should be minding their own bussiness. I guess people who master Socratic questions have the skills to ask assertive and right questions!

[@emmental2020]

It can be pretty scary to find out what you really believe and even worse, why.

[@SG-or2oz]

Overall, an OK video. First Germanic guy I've seen that has a hard time arriving at the point LOL This probably could have been edited down a bit with less tangents.

[@PersonalPower]

Yeah not gonna argue with that. That's why my newer videos are only a couple minutes long

[@SG-or2oz]

@@PersonalPower no worries!! Still love your content. Thanks for doing this 😎

[@CHEKPNT]

Liberals should listen to this

[@rhimil11]

Sounds like Christopher Walken

[@thomaswhite2609]

You start with getting the truth and you end up with core beliefs. What's your point??

[@markuslepisto7824]

You kinda cannot say "what other people really think doesn't matter but what you think does matter"..

[@PersonalPower]

But should your worry about what other people think? Or are you even able to consider what everyone thinks?

[@ElieZ]

Is it time for a sprinkle of Carl Jung please please please?

[@PersonalPower]

I'm just editing the videos for next week and sadly there is no Carl jung in it. But I give you my word: the week after that I'll make a new video on Carl jung and I only make promises very rarely!

[@ElieZ]

@@PersonalPower yaaaay 🙏🏼

[@PersonalPower]

Jung coming today and next friday too!

[@ElieZ]

@@PersonalPower awesome 🌸

[@yo2008nick]

I know one thing… I know nothing

[@PersonalPower]

better to know one thing and being right about it than knowing many things and being wrong about them.

[@yo2008nick]

@@PersonalPower why being right about what you know is better than be wrong?

[@PersonalPower]

@@yo2008nick I think we have a misunderstanding. I agree with you :D It is better to, for example, know that you know nothing and be right about it, rather than claiming to know a lot of things when in reality one doesn't really know

[@razonace8895]

This will be soon considered “gaslighting”

[@beagleman123456789]

Benjamin are you German ?

[@nectarinepen]

duuh

[@beagleman123456789]

@@nectarinepen Typical’

[@predjee]

to bad the subtitles are fucked up

[@jeanlain9442]

Why can't we use the Socratic method to show superiority?

[@PersonalPower]

The essence is to show people their mistakes and flaws of thinking in order to help them understand and improve. Showing your superiority usually has contrary effect. Sure theoretically one can use the socratic method to feel better about oneself by smacking on those that are less capable... but would you like to be around a person like that for very long?

[@jeanlain9442]

@@PersonalPower @Benjamin | Personal Power depends. If I want to better myself enough and if the end goal to better myself even though I feel demeaned by the person that's asking questions, would it even matter on how I feel or how the person asks the questions?

[@PersonalPower]

@@jeanlain9442 feeling misdemeaned leads to a negative experience. Repeat this often enough and we become conditioned to associate negative feelings with learning which leads to a desire to avoid it all together. Additionally, feeling inferior may make one quite defensive and thus reluctant or even resistant to learning anything new.

[@PersonalPower]

It wouldn't matter how the questions were asked if we we were purely rational but we are not

[@jeanlain9442]

@@PersonalPower But are we asking questions to find what is rational in a given topic to better ourselves? Or should we first understand what is rational?

[@linhngo7398]

Why are people afraid to be superior?

[@masroorahmad3510]

7min past , and you still haven't got to the point

[@PersonalPower]

A little patience never hurts, but I can definitely see your point and that's why I recently moved from these longer format videos to short and condensed content.

[@Dovith]

His accent makes it really hard to understand what he is saying.

[@PersonalPower]

zorry

[@Dovith]

@@PersonalPower 😁no worries!! thanks for the video!

[@minetime6881]

8:21 I am a Christian, and I hope and pray that no other Christians try to argue that Christianity is true because the Bible exists lol We have better evidence than that! (All of The cosmological arguments, all of the teleological arguments, all of the ontological arguments, all of the moral arguments, the argument from contingency, the evidence for Jesus‘s resurrection etc.)

[@jaysalud1028]

What evidence? Not enough...

[@minetime6881]

@@jaysalud1028 Are you referring to the evidence for Jesus’s Resurrection? I can tell you the evidence if you would like

[@mavericksubarjan2669]

Im a christian but however haven't seen all these supposedly proof every preacher talks about. In the i'll just believe by faith and use the Bible to create the best of me for others.

[@minetime6881]

@@mavericksubarjan2669 Ok. But what do you mean by faith? I understand your saying that you believe by faith, but your faith is your belief, so that seems to me to be saying your believing because you believe. Personally, I prefer to have faith in only that which I have seen evidence for. I have seen a lot of evidence for God, if you want I can give you some resources. I think you should want to hear some evidence because 1 Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” so for the sake of following that verse, I think it’s good to know at least an argument or two

[@mavericksubarjan2669]

@@minetime6881 @@minetime6881 i do have argument to establish my faith. Still those argument are only meant for me personally and others who genuinely want to listen. Its pointless to convince those who don't. But for me faith is just faith. I just did what i believe with clear logical reason behind it. Just like socratic method. What i meant from my previous comment is this. Let's say there's a definite proof where Jesus tomb is with the proof he exist and resurrected. The problem is i don't want to bother to investigate these proof to gave my 100% trust. I got other shit to do lol. In the end i'll choose what i truly believe in and keep things that could be the truth in my heart.

[@svengali0]

dear me. You are verbose. I don't need an ethics lesson from you- the manner and way in which we approach questions is up to us. I'm so inclined to comment here about German citizens over compensating, feeling guilt for some sort of perceived history of terrible nastiness...the construct here I have encountered in no small manner. I was looking for various viewpoints and input with respect to the technique of socratic questioning, because as a therapist it is useful and good to acquaint yourself with approaches and techniques (ie cbt et al) that you tend to not use...so reflective practice means 'have another look', try again perhaps in a different way'. the last damned thing I need to see is someone lecturing me on 'anti-dogmatic' 'anti-authoritarian' approached to the use of the technique...a method and of of rhetorical approach as old as our civilization, and older than our language.

[@PersonalPower]

I think very few people in my generation experience any form of guilt for what happened in our country. Guilt would imply that we are at fault which we are simply not. Sure, it is part of our history and we inevitably talk about it and are quite aware of it but I'd heavily argue against experiencing guilt. Also, I'm not trying to lecture anyone, I'm just sharing my understanding and perspective on the topic at hand. If you feel like I'm lecturing you then that boils down to your perception, especially because you are the first one to bring up anything along those lines.

[@sixteenstringjack]

Considering you are a therapist, your comment really is unnecessarily mean and hostile.

[@jimivie]

jeez dude iron your shirt before you film a video....good content though

[@PersonalPower]

Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of ironing.. I'll consider it for future videos, but don't get your hopes up :D Glad you liked it anyways!

[@jimivie]

@@PersonalPower well great video anyway!

[@LegalTyranny]

@@PersonalPower The rest of us didn't notice or care ;).