2. Oracle at Delphi

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

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

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

7.  It is NOT DEBATE

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

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

16. 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

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

18. INNER CIRCLE  SPEAKING OUTER CIRCLE  OBSERVING

19.  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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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