Socrates Cafe

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Socrates Cafe Masonic Education

• How to use Questions to Enliven Masonic
  Discussions

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In the beginning...

• Taking a different look at Education
• What if...?
• An idea is born!

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Why?

• Not everyone is interested in History
• Not everyone is interested in Ritual
• Need for a more vibrant, living application of
  Masonic Education
• Understanding other opinions can improve your
  education in life

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Who was Socrates?

• Greek Philosopher 469 - 399 C. E.
• Questioned everything!
• The unexamined life is not worth living for man

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Early Masonic Lodge

• The Enlightenment
• Voltaire, Newton, Locke...These guys had some
  different ideas!
• Safe place to discuss radical ideas

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So whats this have to do with my Lodge?

• Growing need for safe places of discussion
• Fill the need for a place to learn from others
• Practice critical thinking skills

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The Source

• Author revived the Socratic method of discourse
• Traveled the world using the Six Questions
• Get people to think!

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The Six Questions of Socrates

• What is Virtue?
• What is Moderation?
• What is Courage?
• What is Justice?
• What is Piety
• What is Good?

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Socrates Cafe

• Socratic Method of Questioning
• Accepts all views and all participants
• Derives no set conclusion
• Provides a safe atmosphere for discussion
• Challenges beliefs and opinions without requiring
  a change of belief or opinion

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Socrates and the Lodge

• Easy education function for any Lodge
• No cost
• No special knowledge needed
• Everyone can participate
• Can be done in Lodge or in public
• Before or After a meeting

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The Four Steps to Socrates Cafe

• Pick a time and place
• Make sure to go over the rules with everyone
  (see handout)
• Start with one of the Socrates Questions
• Have fun!