elenchus

elenchus, ‘cross-examining’, a term used to describe Socrates' method of philosophical inquiry. In his search for knowledge it was his practice to ask for definitions (‘what is courage? goodness?’ etc.) on the grounds that if one could define or give an account of e.g. goodness one would have clearer ideas about the good life and a basis for further investigation. The answerer's definition was then submitted to rigorous testing by means of question and answer (elenchus). This, however, turned out to be a negative process: the answerer's definition was found to be inconsistent with his other assumptions, and was thus revealed as defective or inadequate, while no satisfactory alternative could be arrived at to take its place. The answerer was left in a state of helplessness, aporia, but his gain was that he now knew the extent of his ignorance. The method was further developed by Plato, who uses the term dialectic to describe it.