XIV. The
Secret of Socrates
Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie is the author of two well-known books : (i) ‘How to stop
worrying and start Living’ and (ii) ‘How to win Friends and Influence People’.
In this article, “The Socratic Method”, he gives us a very successful tip of
advice that will enable us to talk successfully with other people. The author’s
advice is based on a technique used by the great Greek philosopher Socrates.
Hence this technique is called the Socratic Method. Anybody who follows ‘The
Socratic Method’ can become a skilful speaker. The Socratic Method aims at
getting a ‘Yes, Yes’ response. This essay explains the use of this technique by
Socrates.
Short questions
Ques 1)
How did James Eberson , convince the customer to answer all
the necessary questions?
Answer :
James Eberson was a bank official. A customer
came to his bank to open a saving account. Mr Eberson gave him the usual form
to fill out. The customer answered some of the questions willingly in the form
but refused to answer other. Mr Eberson used his common sense. He did not want
to lose the customer. He gave him due importance and agreed with him. He used
the ‘Socrates Method’. He instead, of convinced the customer that supplying the
name of nomiee was in his own interest . Thus he glad, answered all those
questions which he had previously refused to answers .
Ques
2)
Explain the saying He who treads softly goes far ?
Answer :
This is an old saying that he who treads softly
goes far. It means a person who proceeds slowly is able to walk a long
distance. In other words our progress depends upon our patience and politeness.
Those who walk with gentle steps are able to cover a long distance . They do
not get tired . On the other hand, those who walk with heavy steps get tired
very soon. Similarly some people make use of rough language. They cannot win
the hearts of others . But those who are polite, sweet and gentle can win over
the hearts of all . They are progressive and successful. Thus it is true that
those who treads softly goes far .
Ques 3)
What do you mean about Socrates Method?
Answer :
Socrates was a great philosopher in Greece. He
was one of the wisest man in the world. He did something that only a few man in
all history have been able to do so. He changes the whole course of human
thought. He was to tactfully tell to people that they were wrong. His whole
technique which is now called the Socrates Method was based upon inducing yes
response from people including opponents. He asked such questions from his
opponents that they had to accept. In brief, Socratic Method was to talk with a
cool head to ask the opponent questions which said nothing but ‘yes responses’.
Ques 4)
Why does the writer regard a ‘No’ response a handicap ?
Answer :
The writer suggests that we should not start
topic on which we disagree with people in talking. Instead of this, we should
start talking about those things on which we agree. According to the writer, a
‘No’ is the most difficult handicap to overcome. Once a person has said ‘No’,
he is likely to stick it as his pride a self-respect demand this. When a person
says ‘No’, his whole nerve muscular system sets itself against acceptance.
Hence if possible, we should prevent our listeners from giving a ‘No’ response.
When a person says ‘Yes’ his entire organism assumes an open and accepting
attitude. We should use ‘Socratic Method’ which means to talk with cool head
and to get ‘Yes’ response from our listeners.
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