SOCRATES ASKS.
by Ron Gross, Socratic Conversations; Co-chair,
Columbia University Seminar on Innovation; columnist, ABOUT.com


In this new column, Ron Gross will share ideas, techniques, and experiences, including topics for sessions, facilitation strategies, and promotional tips. Ron conducts his Socratic Conversations at Columbia University and throughout New York City, writes a column on lifelong learning for About.com, and is the author of SOCRATES' WAY (www.SocratesWay.com ) and 20 other books. While the form of Socratic conversations is somewhat different from Conversation Cafés, the principles and intentions are very much the same.  His (and Socrates') wisdom can help us all have livelier, richer, deeper conversations. - Vicki Robin

For me, Socrates is the founder of our movement to engage people in joyous and important conversations.  With his friends in 5th century Athens, he devoted his life to Conversation -- and it rewarded him and his fellow citizens  with understanding, insight, fellowship, civic strength, and, over the long haul, wisdom. May we be so blessed!

Here are a half-dozen of his principles:

1. Socrates asked questions -- hence the title of this column. Organizing our conversations around Questions works wonderfully. (Yet I regularly see convenors arriving with six books under their arms to "share" with participants before giving them a chance to speak.)

2. Socrates welcomed both participation and challenge.  Conferees should be encouraged to talk, but also to listen -- to challenge and to wecome being challenged.   

3. Socrates relished face-to-face.  He wrote nothing, so far as we know -- his commitment was to living discourse.  

4. Socrates was serious but unsolemn. He relished wit, flirting, and and high spirits -- but he constantly reminded his discussants that these conversations are not bull-sessions, but BIG talk about how to live well and create a decent society. He displayed intellectual courage and demanded it of others.

5. Socrates' conversations were open to all -- his most regular place to hang was the agora, where any Athenian join his sessions.  

6.  Socrates would have subscribed to the Conversation Café agreements.  He was open-minded and accepting, always maintaining that the only thing he knew for sure was how little he knew for sure.   He was curious, and loved to question assumptions.  He certainly spoke from the heart.  (As to Brevity -- well, 5 out of 6 ain't bad!)

Ron welcomes responses at [email protected]