Blog #12: "Bowling for Columbine and the Socratic Method"

After watching “Bowling For Columbine” and viewing Michael Moore’s style of creating documentaries, I do see a connection between that and the Socratic Method. Both used styles unique to themselves to prove their respected points. Socrates used long dialogues to persuade both his fellow philosophers and readers of the book now, while Moore used “creative” editing techniques to prove his point on the silver screen. Both men truly believed in their opinions, and it is evident in their work. When someone is passionate about something, the reader or viewer knows it. While some may not agree with the opinions of these two, they both were able to take the opposing view and defend their own. In Socrates’ case, he was defending his choice to remain in prison and be sentenced to death to that of Crito, who wanted him to escape and avoid his death. Socrates answered with many points that made Crito think, and as a result convinced Crito that he was making the right decision for the circumstance. In the case of Michael Moore, he was accused of changing and editing out certain parts of his video footage, in an effort to make it smoother, and convince others of his view better. Since those accusations, Moore has publicly defended his ideas and techniques, saying that everything seen in his documentaries that is presented as the truth, is the truth. His views, however, remain his views. While he doesn’t present the other side in his documentaries, he acknowledges them and defends his opinions against them. His website also explains more of what he was trying to say in his documentaries. Both men use the method of getting people to think in order to force them to come to their own conclusions. The quote “the unexamined life is not worth living” comes from Socrates, and summarizes this entire topic. Those who use their power to question and think are the ones who make a difference in this world.