What would one say school is most important about? Is it to be with your friends? To pursue higher education? To have a future? To learn? To question and or wonder deeper truths? All these examples and more all somewhat fall into the Socratic Method that is used greatly in educational purposes, in shorter terms its having a deeper critical thought or connection with a topic, such as asking/answering questions.

This method came from Socrates, some might know him from the popular trend on TikTok, who believed that the key to wisdom was recognizing how little one truly knows. This idea became known through his famous statement, “I know that I know nothing.” He would ask a series of questions to challenge people’s beliefs and help them think more critically. His goal was not to embarrass others, but to guide them toward clearer thinking and self-awareness.

There are a few main focuses in the Socratic Method,  Receive (listen), Reflect (summarize), Refine (question), Re-state (reformulate), and Restart (re-test). This method is used by teachers from English, math, history, science, asking questions not only helps engage the students but helps teachers see the outcome of their work.

This method could also be used to help students study because it turns learning into active thinking instead of just memorizing. 

Better understanding: When children actually ask or participate, engage with the material they start asking “why” and “how” not just memorizing facts.

Stronger critical thinking: It trains your brain to analyze information, questions, ideas, and form your own options, this is especially helpful in history, government or science.

Improves discussion skills: You get better at explaining your thoughts clearly and responding to others, which helps in class discussions and essays.

Helps with remembering information: When you figure things out through questioning your brain holds onto it longer than just reading notes.

Build confidence: You get more comfortable speaking up because you’re used to thinking through answers, not just guessing.

Mr. Johnson a teacher at Brunswick High School uses the method commonly since he’s a history and government teacher, these subjects require deep expert thinking, questions why, how, where, what, to learn deeper and greater about policies, the past, or how it effects today.

“I try to use the Socratic Method as much as I can in my class. Instead of just giving students answers, I ask questions that make them think a little deeper,” Johnson said. “In history and government, it’s not really about memorizing facts—it’s about understanding why things happened and what they mean. When students start asking their own questions and talking through ideas with each other, that’s when the real learning happens.”

Each person uses this method whether they know of it or not, thinking is very important part of everything.