Maieutics

Maieutics

Maieutics (play /mˈjuːtɨks/ or /mˈjuːtɨks/) is a pedagogical method based on the idea that the truth is latent in the mind of every human being due to innate reason but has to be "given birth" by answering intelligently proposed questions (or problems). The word is derived from the Greek "μαιευτικός", pertaining to midwifery.

Contents

Possible origin

The idea is reminiscent of the 4th century BC philosopher Plato. In The Symposium and Theatetus, Plato discusses the Socratic method, a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. It is a dialectical method, often involving an oppositional discussion in which the defense of one point of view is pitted against the defense of another; one interlocutor may lead another to contradict himself in some way, strengthening the inquirer's own point. As to maieutics, it is based on Plato's theory of recollection (anamnesis), so that it holds that knowledge is latent in the conscience awaiting discovery. This discovery is sought through dialectic and in contrast to Plato's theory, through inductive reasoning rather than deductive.

In Theaetetus, the basic question is "What is knowledge?". Theaetetus is a young student of mathematics who proposed three definitions that are refuted by Socrates, according to whom, knowledge cannot be defined as a perception, nor as a true opinion, nor as an explanation besides a true opinion. Socrates debates these arguments from a critical point of view by posing more questions, but never poses a conclusion on the matter of knowledge itself.

As presented by Plato

In philosophy, maieutic concepts historically have their origin in Plato's dialogues of Socrates.

In The Symposium, Socrates repeats the words of the priestess or wise woman Diotima of Mantinea who suggested that the soul is pregnant and wants to give birth, but the delivery requires assistance. Thus according to Plato, the role of the philosopher is to assist in this delivery, as would a midwife. From this dialogue comes the word "maieutics", the "spiritual midwife."

In Theaetetus, Socrates is presented as a "spiritual midwife" and in Meno, by posing questions to a slave who never learned geometry, Socrates leads him to “remember” how a square is doubled.

Orphism

Maieutics is an evolution of the technical methods of Orphism.[citation needed] They were based on the idea of reminiscence and the practice of Catharsis especially developed by Pythagoras.

Maieutics consists in the belief that there is somehow a stored knowledge in the conscience by tradition and the experience of past generations. Therefore, maieutics invites the individual to discover the truth that is latent in herself.

See also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Maieutics — Ma*ieu tics, n. The art of giving birth (i. e., clearness and conviction) to ideas, which are conceived as struggling for birth. Payne. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • maieutics — [treated as sing.] the maieutic method. → maieutic …   English new terms dictionary

  • maieutics — maieutˈics singular noun The Socratic method • • • Main Entry: ↑maieutic …   Useful english dictionary

  • Technics and Time, 1 — Technics and Time, 1: The Fault of Epimetheus (French: La technique et le temps, 1: La faute d Épiméthée ) is a book by the French philosopher Bernard Stiegler, first published by Galilée in 1994. The English translation, by George Collins and… …   Wikipedia

  • Philosophical Investigations — This article is about the philosophy of Wittgenstein. For other uses of Philosophical Investigation or Philosophical Investigations, see Philosophical Investigations (disambiguation). Philosophical Investigations   …   Wikipedia

  • Socratic method — Part of a series on …   Wikipedia

  • List of philosophy topics (I-Q) — II and thou I Ching I Ching I proposition I Thou I Thou relationshipIaIamblichus (philosopher)IbYahya Ibn Adi Yahya Ibn Adi Ibn al Arabi Muhyi al Din Ibn al Arabi Abu Bakr Ibn Bajja Abu Bakr Ibn Bājja Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Yahya Ibn as Say igh… …   Wikipedia

  • Beyond Freedom and Dignity — is a book written by American psychologist B. F. Skinner and first published in 1971. The book argues that entrenched belief in free will and the moral autonomy of the individual (which Skinner referred to as dignity ) hinders the prospect of… …   Wikipedia

  • List of education topics — This is a list of education topics. See also: Education, , and the List of basic education topics.: External link: [http://tools.wikimedia.de/ daniel/WikiSense/CategoryTree.php? wikilang=en wikifam=.wikipedia.org m=a art=on userlang=en… …   Wikipedia

  • I know that I know nothing — (Ancient Greek: ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα en oída hoti oudén oída ; Latin: scio me nihil scire ) is a well known saying which is attributed to the Greek philosopher Socrates. Meaning The well known, paradoxical translation of οἶδα οὐκ εἰδώς, oída… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”