Recently I've been engaging in philosophical conversations with a number of new co-workers, all brimming with intelligence and curiosity. I've been enjoying my days immensely, since I'm pretty much getting paid to talk about what is true and what is virtuous.
The Theory
The truth will set you free and will bring you happiness.
The Hypothesis
If I can help someone to act with more integrity in their interpersonal relationships, his/her outlook on life will improve. If I can teach someone to reason from first principles, the detritus of his/her mind will give way to critical thinking and rationality. If I can achieve this, I will get a dopamine treat. I will know that there is hope for our future.
The Experiment
By using the Socratic method in conversation with a co-worker, I am able to follow up his/her comments and ideas with curiosity. If someone says they are angry, I will ask why. If someone says they don't know why they do things, I will ask them why not.
The purpose of the Socratic method is to reveal to another human being the gaps in his/her thinking. It is the most powerful and seemingly innocuous approach in the philosophical tool belt. It innocently compels others to come face to face with their own ignorance, hypocrisy, and outright immorality. Perhaps this is why Socrates was executed.
My Observations
Not surprisingly, a significant number of people have become very defensive and hostile when my questions reveal to them uncomfortable truths. Once I determine that someone is too far gone to have an interest in truth, I will leave them in peace. I have no interest in them. And it would seem that these people have no personality in which to be interested. It was killed off a long time ago and filled with the trivial trappings of culture and propaganda.
Despite the aforementioned people, I am still surprised at the number of my co-workers who are receptive to my probing questions. They seem to possess genuine curiosity and delight in self-exploration.
Although one anecdote does not a statistically significant sample population make, I have received one comment that is promising. Having taken my line of questioning on expressing one's preferences to heart, this person has improved her relationship with one of her friends. Instead meekly accepting an apology, she was able to express her disappointment in an assertive and rational manner. She was pleasantly surprised that the other person was receptive to her emotions.
In a way, this person experimented on her friendship by making herself vulnerable through honesty. She concluded that there was a strong foundation in this particular friendship, and that the other person was genuinely concerned about her feelings.
She has since told me that she is an overall happier person after having talked to me for a few days. Whereas her overall happiness level was previously self-reported at 25%, she is now in the area of 28%-30%. Of course this is only a small incremental improvement, but in my defense, you can't teach a human being how to think and apply reason overnight...
...After all, the public education system does spend 12+ years teaching us how not to think.
My Conclusions
For those bright and brilliant few that can still be rescued from their false selves, the truth is electrifying. By applying it to every aspect of your life, you get the joy of consistency and integrity, as well as objective knowledge by which to measure the true value of your relationships. If someone doesn't care how you feel, you must MUST MUST know this truth. It may hurt in the short run, but your long-term happiness depends upon your knowing and accepting the facts of reality.
I've only recently begun applying the Socratic method at the onset of new interpersonal relationships. I've determined that this is the best way to weed out the people who are worth my time. And it would seem these same people find pleasure in their interactions with me. And it seems they are learning to apply the values I put forward toward their own lives. The result? Happiness.
The Socratic formula?
Reason = Virtue = Happiness
I like this quote on Steve Pavlina's Twitter page as I think it applies to you, as well: "I'm a human alarm clock. I awaken people who are sleeping through life. Then I duck. ;)"
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