Reflection 11

Socrates, a great teacher who didn’t think of himself as a teacher at all, is known for the thought:”All I know is that I know nothing.” His impact on Western education had to be from the Socratic Method where he wouldn’t provide a direct answer but instead would ask a series of questions which ultimately lead the student to their own conclusion. In a way, Prof. McNair teaches similar to what is known as the Socratic Method. I’ve also witnessed different times were he will ask questions that causes his students to have to think. One event where this is noted is when he required the different readings on rites of passages and initiations ceremonies. He understood that his students had not yet stumbled upon this sort of information and led us to become knowledgeable, to a certain extent, of what happens in different cultures that are different from our own. Another major impact in modern western education is with the usage of the elenchus where students are taught to question things of their belief and even the opposing side. This too, is another aspect of Prof. McNair. In modern western education, teachers aid their students in the thinking process by asking a series of questions which will in turn lead to other questions. Socrates felt that he wasn’t a teacher yet his way of teaching was so profound that it leads others to imitate his style. Socrates’ way of teaching was by leading other to think. This, by all means, is the greatest skill of all. I can think back when I was in elementary school and if a child didn’t know something the teacher would respond, “yes you do, you’re just not thinking.” The Socratic Method can be witnessed in other places other than in education. Like with entertainment for example. I’m sure everyone, in some way shape or form is familiar with Blue’s Clues. If not it is a cartoon show that plays on Nickelodeon. One major concept of the show is to help kids think and figure things out. The host asks different questions about clues which lead the audience to the correct answer. Before recently, I was never truly exposed to the elenchus as much in a classroom as I would in other situations; although it is common for police work. It is very interesting that we are unaware of the impact of different philosophers in our education. It’s like they are hidden from us unless we venture for the knowledge of knowing. In a civilization like our own, we really need to give credit where it is honestly due.
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