The Socratic Method as a Synthesis Type of Cognitive Psychotherapy and Jung’s Transcendent Function: A Commentary

Abstract

Application of the Socratic method, also known as Socratic dialogue or Socratic questioning, to counseling and psychotherapy was examined as a major trend in philosophical counseling. The emphasis was on the affinities of the Socratic method and cognitive psychotherapy, especially Aaron Beck’s Pierre Grimes’ cognitive therapy models. The work of major theorists of modern applications of the Socratic method in education and counseling, such as Leonard Nelson, Gustav Heckmann, and Pierre Gimes, were also examined. Case studies quoted from a summary of one of the usually very long dialogues of Socrates as recorded by his disciple Plato, as well as Padesky’s case study of Socratic questioning in an individual counseling session based on Beck’s model of cognitive therapy (CT) were analyzed and interpreted. Additionally, common points of the Socratic method, such as cognitive psychotherapy and Carl G. Jung’s transcendent function, were briefly discussed.