The Elenchus

The Elenchus

  • Submitted By: kaumans1
  • Date Submitted: 12/11/2008 5:04 PM
  • Category: Philosophy
  • Words: 544
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 557

The Elenchus The elenchus, or better yet the method of the elenchus was conceived by the Socratic movement that was utilized as a route of cross-examination. More specifically, this systematic equation was a weapon of desire for Socrates, the ever-so-wise Athenian. The elenchus ultimately was used to gain and to define knowledge when it was being used by Socrates. We in society today can still embrace this method to make us virtuous because it teaches us logic and how to reason. In my essay I will further explain the reason behind why I chose to write on the elenchus and how it can be beneficial and make us more virtuous in today’s world. The main objection when using an elenchus is that this is an indirect type of argument. This type of cross-examination seeks an alternative source to attack and allude to the initial argument. Why not just directly refute the argument with a straight and concise rebuttal? The reason why the elenchus works so successfully against this is because all determined allegations or arguments are ascertained somehow. In other words, there is a source to why people come to the rationalizations they do. What Socrates did was attack this foundation from the infant stage and perpetually build it up from there. When he used an elenchus, he dissected the reason and logic to why they thought their point had cogency. When we use the method of elenchus, we’re resurrecting the reason behind the argument. When Socrates engaged in an elenchus with an opponent, especially on a subject that he already possessed intuitive knowledge on, the predominant role he would initially take was that he was ignorant. He would do this almost as if he was attempting to have the opponent discover the answer to their questions themselves. Not only that, my interpretation of this action is almost as if he did this as a strategy for the opponent to second-guess their own beliefs. With this action, using the elenchus not only would make Socrates seem virtuous but...