Socratic method
Also called: Socratic dialogue · Topic: Political Theory: Freedom and Rights · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 1 "Political Theory: An Introduction"
Meaning
The Socratic method is Socrates' way of testing a belief by asking reasoned questions, one after another, until its contradictions show. It does not hand over answers. Instead it pushes people to examine what they already assume. Political theory uses it to sharpen ideas such as justice and freedom. Socrates was sentenced to death in Athens in 399 BC for questioning accepted beliefs.
Example
In Plato's Republic, Cephalus says justice means "speak the truth and pay your debts". Socrates asks whether it would be just to return weapons to a friend who has lost his mind. It clearly would not, so the definition fails. Polemarchus then says justice means "help friends, harm enemies", and that definition also collapses under questioning.