One cannot diminish the importance of critical thinking in today’s educational systems, from K to 12 as well as at all levels of college and university education. A simple review of all the tactics taught and needed to function into days world, one soon realizes the oldest and most powerful teaching tactic for fostering critical thinking is the ancient well-tested Socratic teaching techniques. 

    The development of logical reasoning and disciplined thought is what Socratic questioning is all about no matter what subject is being discussed or evaluated whether in a school or in the real world of work. This concept is valuable for study by all students, and anyone interested in understanding the history and importance of Socratic questioning.  He is considered the founding figure of Western philosophy (469-399BC). Socrates has been described as one of the strangest of the Greek philosophers. He grew up during the golden age of Pericles’ Athens and served with distinction as a Greek soldier.

    Socrates is best known as a questioner of everything and everyone. There is a lot of information online and in libraries about the Socratic Method of fostering critical thinking. The aim of questioning is to probe the underlying beliefs upon which each participant’s statements, arguments, and assumptions are built.

   The abilities we gain by focusing on the elements of reasoning in a disciplined and self-assessing way, and the logical relationships that result from such disciplined thought, prepare us for Socratic questioning.

     Thankfully, there is a predictable set of relationships that hold for all subjects and disciplines. This is given in the general logic of reasoning, since every subject has been developed by those who have shared goals, problems, and how to interpret, organize and begin to collectively examine solutions and purposes. All individuals then can share and discuss alternative points of view and how to move forward. Sounds easy but it is not and requires a lot of cooperation and work by all individuals involved in the process.

   At each step in the process, all involved can probe into the nature of the questions, problem, or issue that is of concern. All participants should strive to ensure that all relevant data and information is available for consideration. Critical thinking is sophisticated brain work and requires a lot of planning and thinking. 

    Critical thinking represents a dimension into which one can delve into as a questioning and critical thinking person. We can question goals and purposes.  We can probe into the nature of the question, problem, or issue that is on the floor.  We can inquire into whether we have all the relevant data and information.  We can consider alternative interpretations of the data and information.  We can analyze key concepts and ideas. We can question assumptions being made. We can ask all involved to trace out the implications and consequences of what they are saying. We can consider alternative points of view.  All of these, and more, are the proper focuses of the Socratic questioner.