Socrates was a confirmed conversationalist. He could engage in a conversation with almost anyone because Socrates was an expert listener. Listening is more than language and simpler than 2 plus 2. Listening was a rare talent 2400 years ago but is even more so today in our world. Listening is more than sound waves bouncing against the ear drum, listening is focus, awareness and a hunger to know and understand one another. Socrates was a good listener.
Socrates did
not go around preaching and advising as if he was an authority person or expert.
He asked questions. Socrates listened and then asked questions about what was
being said. He challenged the popular accepted understandings that may or may
not be correct by asking questions. This method got him into a lot of trouble
with the people who became offended. We prize our delusions.
How many of us spend our days just talking? How many of us spend our days reclining behind the walls of our own little world? How many of us spend our days seeking entertainment or the next adventure or the next high?
Maybe, we should listen to Socrates and become a real person, a good listener and conversationalist.
G. Goslaw
Landers, Ca.
