Socratic Circle

Learning Objective

Participants will learn to explore complex ideas through inquiry, practice active listening, question assumptions, and engage in productive dialogue without the need to "win" an argument.

How It Works

The Socratic Circle Process:

1. Setup (5 min)
   Arrange chairs in two concentric circles:
   - Inner circle (4-6 people): Active discussants
   - Outer circle: Observers who listen and take notes

2. Present the Prompt (2 min)
   Share a thought-provoking question, text, or dilemma. Good prompts have no single "right" answer.

3. Inner Circle Dialogue (15-20 min)
   Inner circle discusses using these principles:
   - Ask open-ended questions
   - Build on others' ideas
   - Use evidence and reasoning
   - Challenge ideas respectfully, not people
   - Embrace uncertainty and complexity

4. Rotate (2 min)
   Swap some or all participants between circles.

5. Continue Dialogue (15-20 min)
   New inner circle continues or deepens the discussion.

6. Whole Group Debrief (5 min)
   Reflect on insights, surprises, and changed perspectives.

Key Question Stems:
- "What do you mean by...?"
- "How do you know...?"
- "What would be an example of...?"
- "What are the implications of...?"
- "How might someone disagree with...?"

Example Scenarios

AI will generate scenarios like these, customized for your context:

• Leadership: What does it mean to act ethically when stakeholders have competing interests?
• Technology: Should we always move fast, even if it means breaking things?
• Healthcare: How do we balance patient autonomy with professional expertise?
• Business: Is profit maximization compatible with social responsibility?
• Education: What is the purpose of training—skill development or transformation?