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Methodology in Socrates’ Examination of the Slave

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2012

Chad Wiener
Chad Wiener*
Affiliation:
Portland State University
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Abstract

ABSTRACT: I argue that Socrates employs both elenchus and the method of hypothesis in the examination of the slave. I show that the elenchus is a necessary step of the inquiry. Being reduced to ignorance, Socrates tacitly uses the method of hypothesis to move the slave from ignorance to correct opinion. I tease this out from the questions Socrates asks. Although the method of hypothesis begins from a question distinct from elenchus, the solution to the problem leads the slave to answer the original question. The examination shows that the two methods can be employed in a sustained inquiry.

RÉSUMÉ: Je soutiens que Socrate emploie à la fois l’elenchos et la méthode de l’hypothèse lors de son examen de l’esclave et montre que l’elenchos est une étape nécessaire de l’enquête. Après l’avoir réduit à l’ignorance, Socrate utilise tacitement la méthode de l’hypothèse pour faire passer l’esclave de l’ignorance à l’opinion correcte. Je tire cette explication des questions posées par Socrate. Bien que la méthode de l’hypothèse commence à partir d’une question différente de celle de l’elenchos, la solution au problème amène l’esclave à répondre à la question de départ. L’examen montre que les deux méthodes peuvent être employées lors d’une enquête soutenue.

Type
Articles
Information
Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review / Revue canadienne de philosophie , Volume 50 , Issue 3: Special Issue / Numéro spécial: Studies in Modern Philosophy: Études de philosophie moderne , September 2011 , pp. 443 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Philosophical Association 2012

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