Socratic Seminar-Preparation

I. Part One: Preparing Your Answers

Directions: Below you will find the three anchor questions for your discussions. Prepare arguments and
evidence for at least two to use to support your position and discredit counter-arguments.

1. How much of the technology from 1984 became a reality in our world today? Could what we
have be used to monitor us? To what extent should we use our technology for surveillance and
safety? At what point does it go too far and we enter the world of Big Brother?
Argument Evidence Counter-Argument Rebuttal

1. We shouldnt 1. Bill of Rights 1. But if we have 1. People

be watching amendment 4 surveillance shouldn't be
people at all. freedom from on people we guilty until
Privacy is one unreasonable can prevent they commit
of the most searches and crimes from the crime
important seizures happening 2. There are
concepts in 2. It's too far 2. But people other ways of
the bill of when we dont plan to stopping
rights. watch people commit someone
2. Even with outside of crimes in from
some public places public places committing
surveillance it 3. What if they the only way crimes and
will become think they will we can catch we can use
Big Brother commit a them is in the clues they
because crime but they their homes give out in
people will never do or 3. But then if public instead
want to watch they change they commit of invading
more their mind the crime then their privacy
3. People we have to 3. We can
shouldnt be deal with the prevent crime
guilty until damage in other ways
they commit but the
the act consequence
of crimes
makes other
people want
to not commit
them and
even if there
is some crime
 we can deal
with the
damage

2. What is the nature of reality? Could any government decide what is real and what is not? Is it
possible for a governing entity to control the thoughts of its citizens so thoroughly? Is it possible to
have scientific progress with this definition of truth?
Argument Evidence Counter-Argument Rebuttal

1. If a tree falls 1. If I say that 1. We can think 1. What you

in a park and yes it makes a for ourselves perceive as
no one is sound because because we all reality can be
around to hear sound waves had different persuaded
it does it still and blah blah answers to because it's
make a blah youd that question all in your
sound? The believe me so it's not head
answer is but if I said it what were 2. Prove to me
whatever makes no told that Trump is
youre told sound because 2. People are not a robot
2. Governments sound is an aware of 3. How do you
can decide interpretation what's real know that the
what's real of a sensation and what's earth revolves
and you created by us propaganda around the
wouldnt youd believe 3. Science is sun
know the me too. based on facts
difference 2. They can that are
3. Science can control what inherent in
only do things you see and everything
based off of hear they can
what they do all sorts of
hold as true propaganda
 and change
your
perception of
reality
3. Science can
progress
within the
parameters of
truth given
to them by an
outside force

3. What type of government works best? Is it better to have a top down monarchy government, led
by a single king or powerful leader(Big Brother)? A council (Inner Party) led country, such as an
aristocracy or oligarchy? Or a democratic/republic government, where the government is led by by the
masses? What are the downsides of each?
Argument Evidence Counter-Argument Rebuttal

1. Totalitarian is 1. If the 1. If somebody 1. If we apply

the best type government needs a social
because if controls how different darwinism
everything is much food amount of then the ones
controlled we people eat food or a who cannot
almost then everyone special diet live with the
completely will get the they will be food they
eliminate same amount out of luck have will die
error of food which 2. Kings cant be and wont
2. It should be is fair controlled reproduce
lead by a King 2. Having a king 3. Another eliminating
3. Only puts all the downside is if anyone with
downside you power in one the decision issues over
dont get to be place that is making isnt time
free easily good everyone 2. Just dont
replaceable suffers give him/her
 or overthrown access to
3. You cant things they
make choices can maintain
and you dont their power
have any with
power 3. But if
everyone
suffers then
no one does

II. Part Two: Furthering Questions

Directions: Using the sentences frames given, come up with at least five furthering questions that you
can ask during the Socratic seminar.

What puzzles me is how easy it is for the mind to be tricked

Id like to discuss the possibilities of internal and external realities

Im confused about the different kinds of governments and the pros and cons to each

Dont you think this is similar to communist Russia and other totalitarian governments
 Do you agree that if we cant prove that anything happens outside our minds that there is no such
thing as external reality

I wonder if people are already watching everything we do

While I see what you are saying, have you considered that an oppressive government might be
good?

Do you think that people should do what theyre told or should they question everything

Do you agree/disagree that there is no evidence to support the idea of external reality

III. Part Three: Notes

Directions: During the seminar, use this section to take notes on what others say and jot down ideas.
These can be used in your discussion or later in your paper.