Describe the socratic method and its origins. how does it differ from the scientific method?

the socratic method, also known as method of elenchus, elenctic method, or socratic debate, is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. it is a dialectical method, involving a discussion in which the defense of one point of view is questioned; one participant may lead another to contradict themselves in some way, thus weakening the defender's point. this method is named after the classical greek philosopher socrates and is introduced by him in plato's theaetetus as midwifery (maieutics) because it is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors' beliefs, or to them further their understanding.

the socratic method is a method of hypothesis elimination, in that better hypotheses are found by steadily identifying and eliminating those that lead to contradictions. the socratic method searches for general, commonly held truths that shape beliefs and scrutinizes them to determine their consistency with other beliefs. the basic form is a series of questions formulated as tests of logic and fact intended to a person or group discover their beliefs about some topic, exploring definitions or logoi (singular logos) and seeking to characterize general characteristics shared by various particular instances.

during the 20th century, the role of the vice president has evolved into more of an executive branch position. now, the vice president is usually seen as an integral part of a president's administration and presides over the senate only on ceremonial occasions or when a tie-breaking vote may be needed.