These questions are important because the two dominant learning theories are
often presented as either-or propositions, false dichotomies that educators must
choose between. This does not have to be the case. The Socratic method provides
a middle ground between the two, and has many of the strengths of both constructivism
and behaviorism. When understood in a philosophical framework, and practiced
in the classroom, this ancient pedagogical alternative can be a potent learning
tool.