Socratic Experience K-12 School Advocates Direct Engagement with Controversial Historical Texts

Michael Strong, founder of The Socratic Experience, a K-12 virtual school, recently articulated his institution's pedagogical philosophy, emphasizing the critical importance of students grappling directly with challenging historical and philosophical texts. The school champions the Socratic method to cultivate deep critical thinking and personal conviction among its young learners.

Strong's approach encourages students to confront potentially controversial ideas from historical figures, rather than shying away from them. > "Should we take Aristotle’s concept of “natural slavery” seriously, and was Aquinas correct that heretics should be put to death? Do we agree or disagree with Augustine, Aquinas, Pico della Mirandola, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, or Hobbes?" Strong posed in a recent social media post. This direct engagement is central to the school's curriculum.

The Socratic method, a cornerstone of The Socratic Experience, involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and deeper understanding. This technique, widely recognized for fostering intellectual autonomy and challenging assumptions, allows students to explore their "epistemological, moral, and aesthetic or spiritual commitments," as stated by Strong. It is designed to move beyond rote memorization, encouraging students to synthesize information and form connections.

Through this rigorous dialogue, students learn "how to transcend the parochialism of time and place," according to Strong. This process, while potentially leading students to "dislike some authors’ beliefs," ultimately equips them with the tools to develop personal understandings of "the True, the Good, and the Noble or Beautiful." The Socratic Experience integrates this method into its humanities block, which covers classical works from around the world.

The Socratic Experience is a high-touch virtual school providing K-12 education with a focus on Socratic dialogue, one-on-one mentoring, and creative projects. Its curriculum aims to prepare students not just for exams, but for lifelong happiness and success by fostering critical thinking and an ability to engage with complex ideas. The school's model reflects a growing trend in education that prioritizes deep intellectual engagement over traditional, standardized curricula.