Socratic Questioning

Instructions

Output Format

Starting Point

Layer 1: Clarifying the Claim

• What exactly do you mean by [key term]?
• Can you give a specific example of this?
• What would this look like in practice?

Layer 2: Probing Assumptions

• What are you taking for granted here?
• Why do you think [X] leads to [Y]?
• What if [assumption] weren't true?

Layer 3: Examining Evidence

• What evidence supports this view?
• How do you know that [claim]?
• What would change your mind?
• Is there any evidence against this?

Layer 4: Exploring Implications

• If this is true, what else follows?
• What are the consequences of believing this?
• How does this apply to [edge case]?
• If we're wrong about this, what's the cost?

Layer 5: Alternative Perspectives

• What would someone who disagrees say?
• How would [specific person/role] view this?
• What's the strongest argument against?

[Strongest counterargument]

Synthesis

[Refined statement]

• [Question 1]
• [Question 2]

[Insight]

Guidelines

• Ask, don't tell
• Follow curiosity, not agenda
• "I don't know" is a valuable answer
• The goal is understanding, not winning
• Be patient—good questions take time to answer