Socratic irony, platos apology, and kierkegaards on the. Something of the accustomed irony, which may perhaps be expected to sleep in the ear of. Socratic irony definition of socratic irony by the free. What is socratic irony in simple terms and its example. He asks questions of the other characters, the result being a fuller understanding of the subject. Indeed, leibowitz analyzes more profoundly than anyone before him what socratic irony means, both for the reading of plato and for the socratic life as a whole. Socratic irony in american english pretense of ignorance in a discussion to expose the fallacies in the opponents logic websters new world college dictionary, 4th edition. The practice or act of asking someone a question in order to demonstrate his or her ignorance socratic. Something of the accustomed irony, which may perhaps be expected to sleep in the ear of the multitude, is lurking here. The dialogues are usually named after the key person interrogated by socrates, as in protagoras where this famous sophist is questioned about his views on rhetoric. It is common for discussions of this topic to elide the distinction between socrates and plato, and this in two ways. Socratic irony is the dissimulation of ignorance practised by socrates as a means of confuting an adversary. On the internet, i think the relevant term is trolling.
Socratic irony is a technique used in the socratic method of teaching. The first level is the dialogue or conversation itself. This course will focus on a handful of the socratic dialogues of plato. Each one of these subtypes of irony belongs in every writer s toolkit. In this classic moment from the office, michael knows that dwight lied about going to the dentist. Socrates then uses this irony to bring his interlocutors to a state in which all content has been emp. Socratic irony is most often found in the world of academia. The practice or act of asking someone a question in order to demonstrate his or her ignorance. What is a type of characterization in which the writer tells the reader what a character is like. A young man questions his sanity following a destructive existential dispute with himself. This irony, which sees its beginning in socrates claim to complete ignorance, is present throughout platos dialogues.
In his day, around 400 bc, he challenged those who had fixed ideas about knowledge itself, making alleged scholars disbelieve their own facts through his way of dialogue, which came to be known as the socratic method. That had arisen out of a peculiar mission which he had taken upon himself. The term comes from the latin word ironia, which means feigned ignorance. This essay explores how satirist stephen colbert used irony in his 2010 congressional testimony, arguing that colberts shift from socratic to sophistic irony encouraged listeners to think for. Socratic irony redirects to irony, which in the opening blurb, says that it refers to the socratic method. Sren kierkegaard, the concept of irony to specify the particular approach of this paper toward the. How many scenes should be in each act of a play, and how many acts should a play have. In this paper i argue that platos apology is the principal text on which kierke gaard relies in arguing for the idea that socrates is fundamentally an ironist.
In a way, socrates was the first and last true philosopher. In the case of socratic irony, socrates might pretend to think his students wise or he might denigrate his own intelligence, as by pretending he. If you would like to read the entire dialogue, click here. Irony, sarcasm, and satire irony is the discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, what is said and what is done, what is expected or intended and what happens. Socratic irony is a particular device often used in rhetoric in which one person pretends to be ignorant about an issue to lure the other person into explaining it. In subtly similar ways, contemporary teachers of rhetoric and writing also experience these tensions.
The three main types used in literature are dramatic, situational, and verbal, as mentioned above. He then goes on to explain the reason why he is in such an evil name. Of course, this type of irony isnt relegated to the court system, it can be useful in an office setting as well. It passes intact into dr johnsons dictionary mode of speech in which the meaning is contrary to the words 1755. Dramatic, verbal and situational irony are considered the three main types of irony in literature and drama but there are other types of irony found in everyday life. Socratic irony is of the riddling variety and the shame that it produces is not intended to belittle the interlocutors sense of self. Learn more about this practice known as socratic irony in this lesson, where youll also get to see it in action. For lawyers, using rhetorical tricks like socratic irony are part and parcel of the job. Ironically, playing dumb can sometimes be the best way to show how smart you are. This one is a bit of a bonus, because its not technically a literary device its more of an everyday life type of irony. For instance, when socrates declares in the apology that he could not give up philosophy because of his duty to god, the athenians would not believe him and think he. At the beginning of the dialogue, socrates flatters euthyphro into teaching him about holiness, saying that it will help socrates in his case against meletus.
The formal use of irony in literature and plays has a long history, and as such its usage has altered somewhat over time. Stephen colberts use of sophistic and socratic irony. In the case of socratic irony, socrates might pretend to think his students wise or he might denigrate his own intelligence by pretending he is ignorant or that he does not. Socratic irony first, read this brief excerpt from one of platos bestknown dialogues, euthyphro. What are some examples of literary devices and how might they be used.
In this case the meaning that which is unsaid is often revealed by the context in which the words were uttered inst. Pdf in a recent article in the european legacy, mark cortes favis argued. This essay seeks to demystify the ironic twist in the popular apology. Jul 30, 2015 a young man questions his sanity following a destructive existential dispute with himself. Oct 23, 2017 what is socratic irony in simple terms and its example.
Pdf media literacy campaigns champion systematic thinking and high elaboration in the fight against fake news. When dwight returns, michael busts out a rather ineffectual form of socratic irony to try and catch him in his lie. Irony is a communication technique employed when someone says something that conveys a message that contradicts the literal words. In this section the following types of literary irony are discussed. Saying your house is neat as a pin, or that running a marathon is a piece of cake are examples of what. For instance, when socrates declares in the apology that he could not give up philosophy because of his duty to god, the athenians would not believe him and think he was pulling their leg 37e38a. In his apology as written by plato, he uses a great deal of irony. So now, nowhere on wikipedia is there any mention of that socratic irony actually is.
Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. Precluding philosophy, that role required fear of punitive gods or laws as the basis of popular morality. Plato the writer berkeley classics university of california, berkeley. In this essay i account for the term socratic irony and i explain its meaning. Socratic irony, platos apology, and kierkegaards on the concept of irony.
Socratic irony definition, pretended ignorance in discussion. You can use the socratic method to show someone that they are wrong, or at least imprecise, by getting them to agree with statements that contradict their original assertion. Socratic dialogue definition and examples thoughtco. Irony in literature literary irony, socratic irony. And in one of the most memorable results of this type of questioning comes from a few good men. Irony in the platonic dialogues stanford university. The second level is strategic discourse, which describes the shape of the dialogue as it. When someone draws out the other person, asking questions as if one is ignorant about the subject matter, then starts grilling the ot. The socratic dialogue or the platonic dialogue usually begins with socrates professing ignorance of the subject matter. If there is a particular form of irony you want to explore further, just follow the navigation below. Kierkegaard aligns himself with most critics when he asserts that xenophons socrates is unattractive and, more importantly, would not have been a man worth executing. Therefore, the real problem with socratic irony lies not. Weve covered the basics of irony on a structural level but there is so much more to learn. Instead, shame is an appropriate response to the realization that ones life is unexamined and possibly vicious.
Mar 28, 2020 socratic irony is a particular device often used in rhetoric in which one person pretends to be ignorant about an issue to lure the other person into explaining it. Socratic irony can be used to expose the flaw in another persons logic or to encourage the logical reasoning of another person, and it does so by the same means. The best videos and questions to learn about literary devices. Kierkegaard, irony, and dualitya response to mark cortes favis article pdf available in the european legacy 174 july 2012 with 912 reads how we measure reads. In this essay i will account for the term socratic irony and explain what it is.
Irony, says quintilian, is that figure of speech or trope in which something contrary to what is said is to be understood contrarium ei quoddicitur intelligendum est. Towards redefining socratic irony 3 used to convey the meaning are incompatible. We will read in greek two dialogues in fullthe hipparchus and the critoand excerpts from the apology, alongside in translation a few other dialogues first alcibiades, minos, euthyphro, phaedo, xenophons apology of socrates and aristophanes clouds. The ironic defense of socrates is not only an invitation to authentic socratic philosophizing but also an exercise in it, one conducted with great intelligence, clarity, and wit. But there is plenty of space for questions about seriousness and about meaning what one says in the philosophical writing of plato. After reading and reflecting on the assigned material relating to the questions, thoroughly respond to the question. Susan koba and anne tweed describe socratic dialogue as the conversation that results from the socratic method, a discussion process during which a facilitator promotes independent, reflective, and critical thinking hardtoteach biology concepts, 2009. Irony is a storytelling tool used to create a contrast between how things seem and how they really are beneath the surface. On the nature and function of socratic irony semantic scholar. In a debate or argument, for example, two people may hold differing points of view about a particular subject.
Socrates then uses this irony to bring his interlocutors to a state in which all content has been. In angelas ashes by frank mccourt are there any literary devices like. As a figure, irony is an extended version of the trope. Socratic irony is conspicuous in the treatments of, for example, gregory vlastos, whose immediate concern is verbal irony, and alexander nehamas, whose interest is the irony of socrates situation and his attitude toward it. Sren kierkegaard, the concept of irony to specify the particular approach of this paper toward the subject of socratic irony, it is necessary. Socratic irony the classical quarterly cambridge core. Tile irony of socrates we are not exalted by the destruction of the great, we are reconciled to its destruction by the fact that truth is victorious, and we are exulted by its victory. The irony lies in socrates stated belief that his interlocutor is very wise, when both we and socrates know that the man is ignorant and will shortly be proven so. It is especially his attention to detail which has allowed me to write a thesis that. Part one is on socratic irony as exhibited by plato, xenophon, and aristophanes, with a closing section on hegel. The apology or platonic defence of socrates is divided into three parts. My focus is primarily on the aspects of irony that are directly valuable philosophically, although such a task also requires a discussion of its mere rhetorical forms.
Each one of these subtypes of irony belongs in every writers toolkit. This fulllength study of platos dialogue phaedrus, now in paperback, is written in the belief that such concerted scrutiny of a single dialogue is an important part of the project of understanding plato so far as possible from the inside of gaining a feel for the mans philosophy. Socratic irony definition and meaning collins english. Profession of ignorance and of willingness to learn, used as a ploy to spur others to discover their own ignorance through their attempts to explain a. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Socrates would pretend to be ignorant of the topic under discussion, to draw out the inherent nonsense in the arguments of his interlocutors. Synonyms for socratic irony at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. In the case of socratic irony, socrates might pretend to think his students wise or he might denigrate his own intelligence. Socratic irony i use the phrase generically here, for even in the platonic dialogues characters other than socrates practice socratic irony and platos dramatic irony differ in their means. In responding to accusations or views by others, wisdommongers often used a lot of figurative language, irony and sarcasm.