The Socratic method of inquiry, the elenchus, is explained with examples in Plato's five dialogues. In Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito, Plato's character Socrates uses the elenchus as a way to challenge his interlocutors. If an Athenian claims to be knowledgeable about a topic, Socrates sets out to demonstrate that this knowledge is unfounded. With the elenchus Socrates analyzes the inconsistencies of widespread beliefs. In this way, he achieves his goal of making his interlocutors unable to draw inflexible conclusions about their wisdom, which frustrates and embarrasses them. However, Socrates does not only aim to publicly shame the interlocutor, but, more importantly, to carefully examine unexamined beliefs and to demonstrate that these beliefs are often trivial. What ultimately comes from the elenchus is not a revised definition of unexamined beliefs, but rather the understanding that humans are ignorant beings and cannot provide concrete knowledge on every topic. Through his portrayal of Socrates, Plato bestows upon us an erudite ignorance. Once we understand that we lack knowledge, we no longer have to live according to empty and contradictory beliefs. Instead, we can begin to question our beliefs; we can live more meaningful, valuable and happy lives. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay We first encounter an exposition of the elenchus when Socrates meets Euthyphro in court in the dialogue Euthyphro. While discussing his accusation with Socrates, Euthyphro claims to "have accurate knowledge" of the divine (5a). This is an example of an empty knowledge claim that Socrates does not let go unquestioned. To involve Euthyphro in the elenchus, Socrates asks him to explain “what is pious and what is impious” (5d). It is discovered in the following discussion, during which Socrates questions the contradictions within each of Euthyphro's definitions, that part of the nature of the elenchus is to attempt to identify ambiguous concepts using "a form" (5d). Socrates wants Euthyphro to understand the nature of piety in a single form that can be applied to all situations to determine whether something is pious or not. The result is that Euthyphro becomes frustrated, as he tells Socrates, "whatever proposition we make goes back and forth, and refuses to stay where we set it" (11b). This is one purpose of the Socratic method of inquiry; it leads the interlocutor to realize that his or her claim to knowledge is actually incorrect and unfounded, so as to expose the interlocutor to aporia, or divine confusion. In the Apology, Socrates stands before the court and defends his method of imparting his wisdom to men. Athenians illuminating their origins and intentions. He first refers to "the god of Delphi as a witness to the existence and nature of [his] wisdom," who apparently said that no man was wiser than Socrates (21a). Socrates is believed to be wise because he "understands that his wisdom is useless" (23b). This means that Socrates knows that humans are unable to fully understand the world; the wisdom of morals, values ​​and the divine is beyond our reach. Since humans have concrete knowledge only of what is fleeting, human knowledge is not of much use. Socrates grasps this concept and attempts to convey it to other Athenians by involving them in the elenchus. Although his intent is to help bring this realization to the citizens of Athens, Socrates' method of questioning their beliefs ultimately turns the citizens against him. They are humiliated whenSocrates uses the elenchus to make them appear unintelligent in public and are unwilling to accept their beliefs being so easily questioned. As a result, Socrates is tried and sentenced to death. Crito attempts to persuade Socrates to escape this death sentence in the dialogue Crito. Here, Socrates uses the elenchus again, this time with a good friend. Socrates has already decided how a person should behave when condemned by the state, and he is determined to adhere to these beliefs, not letting vanity persuade him to change his mind because he is in a compromised position. This is an application of the idea of ​​“form” first mentioned in Euthyphro. Socrates believes that all people, including himself, should carry out their sentences, because all citizens are subject to the laws of the state to which they belong. Since Socrates believes that there is always a tacit social agreement between citizen and state and that just agreements must be respected, he must carry out his sentence for the sake of his character and posterity. He uses the elenchus, once again involving a very complicated and multi-layered rationalization, to demonstrate to Crito that he must honor this principle, even when his own life is at stake. By synthesizing these examples, we can identify the mechanisms of elenchus. In an ideal inquiry, Socrates begins by asking the interlocutor to assert his “knowledge” about some sort of moral conundrum. Then, using reason and a series of irrefutable questions, Socrates makes the interlocutor state a contradictory statement. When both statements are juxtaposed, the inconsistencies of the belief are exposed, leading the interlocutor to aporia. Traditionally it is problematic to be confused, but achieving aporia or possessing Socratic wisdom is a different kind of confusion; it can be of great benefit to the soul. In the Apology, Socrates is said to have thought that "it is the greatest good for a man to discuss virtue every day...for an unexamined life is not worth living for men" (38a). Examining life means being completely honest with yourself and strengthening your integrity, which gives you a better and more fulfilling life. By challenging seemingly intractable beliefs using the elenchus, Socrates enlightens people and does them a great service; teaches people that, because they are ignorant, they should question and examine their beliefs more often so that they do not continue to believe fallacies. While it does not always provide a distinctive definition of concepts, the elenchus at least demonstrates that conventional definitions of these concepts are incorrectly crafted and should no longer be considered truths. Furthermore, learning the depths of your ignorance by spending time examining your beliefs is not only important because it highlights the fallacies behind them, but it also gives you insight into why you really believe them. For example, why do so many people believe that a higher being decides which action is right and which is wrong? Instead, could actions be intrinsically right or wrong, independent of a higher being? If so, then why do we hold this being's opinion on the matter in such high regard? It's exam questions like these that lead people to have a truer understanding of their beliefs and themselves. The search for this identity will lead to happiness and success and, therefore, the Socratic method is not a waste of time, but a fruitful and invaluable use of it. To reap the benefits of life examination, a person must allow himself to be vulnerable to embarrassment and confusion. If a person is willing to appear unwise..