How questioning reshapes the way we speak to ourselves

In The Method, my book, I consciously use Socratic inquiry across all chapters.

Not as philosophy for philosophers (but as a practical way to reshape our thinking).

Why Socrates? He never told people what to think but in contrary he showed them how to question what they already believed to reshape their beliefs potentially. This is exactly what I invite you to do as well: to start using the socratic inquiry as an inner dialogue — for one belief, for many areas of your life, or even for everything 😉.

What does this mean in practice?

This is a structured dialogue. When applied inwardly, your thoughts become the interlocutor — and your beliefs are examined, not obeyed.

Lets start first from the 7 Socratic Steps (briefly)

1. Statement of a Claim (Thesis) A belief is stated clearly.
2. Questioning begins (Elenchus)/ in Greek the word means examination. The meaning of the belief is examined.
3. Agreement on Premises Supporting assumptions are made explicit.
4. Examination of Consistency The belief is tested against other accepted facts.
5. Refutation A contradiction is revealed.
6. Aporia in Greek the word means questioning A state of “not knowing” is reached.
7. Renewed Search Inquiry may begin again, with greater clarity.

As you have seen no affirmations or conclusions imposed.  The purpose is to have clarity through questioning.

Lets give an example: An Inner Socratic Dialogue . The belief: “The market doesn’t want me anymore.

Who is speaking? She is over 50. She has completed an important career in a multinational company. She has financial security. Yet she feels uneasy — because she cannot easily live with inactivity.

Step 1 — Statement of the claim

“At this stage of my life, the market doesn’t want me anymore.”

Step 2 — Questioning

• What do I mean by “the market”?
• What does “want” actually mean?
• What does “useful” mean here?

Step 3 — Agreement on premises

• If the market wants someone, it seeks their contribution.
• If someone is not wanted, their experience is no longer valuable.
• The market values what creates value today.

Step 4 — Examination of consistency

• She held senior roles with responsibility and impact.
• She developed judgment, experience, and perspective.
• Organizations still deal with complexity, people, and uncertainty.

Step 5 — Refutation

If the market values value creation and experience contributes to value, then the claim “I have nothing to offer” cannot stand as stated.

Step 6 — Aporia “Then perhaps I do not actually know whether I am no longer useful —

or whether I misunderstand what the market is, or where I belong within it.”

Step 7 — Renewed search

• What does contribution look like at this stage of life?
• Is the market one thing, or many? Which market? Do I need to narrow or broad my search?
• Is usefulness tied to former roles — or to something else?

No final answer is given. The certainty dissolves — and that is the work.

A closing invitation: This is how The Method works.

Not by giving answers — but by training the quality of our questions. Try this inner dialogue with what ever you feel needs closer attention at this time of the year.

• work
• identity
• worth
• relationships

Or with everything 😉