Conclusion
Both behaviorism and constructivism are incompatible with Socratic practice. Each
learning theory has elements that are antithetical to Socratic pedagogy: Behaviorism rejects a dialectical process and does not actively involve the learner, and constructivism
has a radically different epistemology and metaphysic. In some ways, because
Socratic pedagogy shares elements of each, it is a middle ground between both (see
Appendix). However, it would be a mistake to say that these similarities are suffi-
cient to enable a Socratic teacher to be a constructivist or a behaviorist. Socratic
pedagogy occupies a unique category, and provides the oldest learning process
known—education through directed discourse. The Socratic method presupposes
that there is a truth, we just need cooperation and dialogue to find it.