<P> The Socratic method , also known as maieutics , method of elenchus , elenctic method , or Socratic debate , is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals , based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions . It is a dialectical method , involving a discussion in which the defense of one point of view is questioned ; one participant may lead another to contradict themselves in some way , thus weakening the defender 's point . This method is named after the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates and is introduced by him in Plato 's Theaetetus as midwifery ( maieutics ) because it is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors ' beliefs , or to help them further their understanding . </P>
the method of questioning used by socrates is what plato refers to as the
Socratic method maieutics method of elenchus elenctic method Socratic debate