Oracle at Delphi

The reason I am smarter than anyone else is because I know I know nothing.

 COLLECTIVE INQUIRY  AN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS  NOT A TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION  WITHOUT “RIGHT” ANSWERS

 The goal is an enlarged, shared understanding of ideas, issues, or values through DIALOGUE

 It is NOT DEBATE

DIALOGUE IS COLLABORATIVE  Multiple sides work toward shared understanding DEBATE IS OPPOSITIONAL  Two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong

IN DIALOGUE  One listens  To understand  To make meaning  To find common ground IN DEBATE  One listens  To find flaws  To spot differences  To counter arguments

DIALOGUE  Reveals assumptions for examination and reevaluation DEBATE  Defends assumptions as truth

DIALOGUE  Creates an open-minded attitude:  an openness to being wrong  An openness to change DEBATE  Creates a close-minded attitude:  A determination to be right

IN DIALOGUE  One submits one’s best thinking, expecting other people’s reflections will help improve it, rather than threaten it IN DEBATE  One submits one’s best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right

DIALOGUE  Calls for temporarily suspending one’s beliefs DEBATE  Calls for investing wholeheartedly in one’s beliefs

IN DIALOGUE  One searches for strengths in all positions IN DEBATE  One searches for weaknesses in the other position

DIALOGUE  Respects all the other participants and seeks NOT to alienate or offend DEBATE  Rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or deprecate other participants

DIALOGUE  Assumes that many people have pieces of answers and that cooperation can lead to greater understanding DEBATE  Assumes a single right answer that somebody already has

DIALOGUE  Remains open-ended. DEBATE  Demands a conclusion.

INNER CIRCLE  SPEAKING OUTER CIRCLE  OBSERVING

 Inner Group #1 – discusses the topic for 15 minutes  Outer Group #1 – May enter discussion by posing questions and assertions to inner participants based upon their outer circle tasks notes. This involves both circles and lasts 10 minutes  Inner Group #2 – assumes the inner circle seats and discusses same or new topic for 15 minutes  Outer Group #2 – gets to enter discussion for the following 10 minutes based on outer circle task sheet notes  This leaves approximately 10 minutes for a wrap up of key points

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES  PARTICIPANTS  LEADER  TEXT  All participants read the text in advance.  QUESTIONS  Prepare open-ended questions in advance that reflect genuine curiosity, and have no ‘one right answer’! OTHER COMPONENTS

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES  DON’T RAISE HANDS  LISTEN CAREFULLY  WAIT FOR YOUR TURN- BE SENSITIVE AND DO NOT INTERRUPT OTHERS  ADDRESS ONE ANOTHER RESPECTFULLY OTHER COMPONENTS

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES  ADDRESS COMMENTS TO THE ENTIRE GROUP ( NO SIDE CONVERSATIONS)  MONITOR ‘AIR TIME’ (NO HOGGING – LET EVERYONE HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK)  BASE ALL OPINION ON THE TEXT AND BE ABLE TO REFER OTHERS TO IT OTHER COMPONENTS

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES  BE COURAGEOUS IN PRESENTING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND REASONING, BUT BE FLEXIBLE AND WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND IN THE FACE OF NEW AND COMPELLING EVIDENCE OTHER COMPONENTS

SOCRATIC SEMINAR GUIDELINES  Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not “learning a subject;” your goal is to understand ideas, issues and values reflected in the text.  It s OK to “pass” when asked to contribute (but you need to make at least 2 comments to receive credit).  Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session  Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.  Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.  Speak so that everyone can hear you.  YOU are responsible for the seminar. (If the seminar sucks, that’s on you; if it rocks, that’s on you too!) OTHER COMPONENTS

POSITIVE  Taking a position  Making a relevant comment  Offering evidence to support your position  Drawing another person into the discussion  Asking a clarifying question  Making an analogy  Recognizing a contradiction  Recognizing an irrelevant comment NEGATIVE  Not paying attention (in inner or outer circle)  Interrupting the seminar  Making an irrelevant comment  Making a personal attack  Monopolizing the conversation