For some, the name Socrates Club will conjure up images of a fan club devoted to a certain Brazilian footballer. For most though, it will give rise to thoughts about one of the world’s most famous philosophers. Indeed, this is the origin of the name (sorry, football fans!)
The Socrates club however is not so much named after the man himself, but a method of analysing things to reach a critical conclusion, the Socrates method as it were. This basically involved someone presenting an idea, ‘the world is round’ for example and then by a process of question and answer, with someone representing an opposing point of view, investigating the idea to try and get to the bottom of it as it were, ‘But why don’t we fall off?’, ‘Have you seen it’s shape?’, ‘How does it rotate?’, ‘Isn’t it supported on the back of a tortoise?’ etc.
The idea of Socrates clubs was probably first made famous by the Socratic club at Oxford university. This particular version of the Socrates club had a big help in creating its fame due to the fact that one C. S. Lewis, a renowned Oxford University professor and darling of those who like to share insightful Christian quotes on the internet, was the first president. It met from 1942 until 1972, but its most popular period was inevitably up until 1955, the years when C. S. Lewis was an active participant before his move to Cambridge.
Since then, many have endeavoured to take this Socrates club concept and create their own version. Such attempts have even made their way to the Republic of Moldova! Hence since the beginning of 2018 the IFES student ministry here (otherwise known as CSC, the community of Christian Students) as been organising their own version.
In true post-soviet cultural style and taking heed of Isaac Newton’s famous idea of standing on the shoulders of giants, the Socrates club (Sokratov Klub as it’s locally known) in Moldova is based on a combination of three concepts. There is the aforementioned Oxford Socratic club, but to this is add the modern-day TED talks concept and mixed in with a Russian idea of 15 by 4 talks, and hey presto ‘Сократов Клуб’.
TED talks involved a speaker giving a short talk on a topic of general interest. The 15×4 format is popular in the Russian speaking world. As the name would suggest it refers to an event where four speakers have 15 minutes to present a topic of interest (as opposed to 15 speakers having four minutes – that would be quite an event!). Finally, the element of the Oxford Socratic club that has been carried over to Moldova is the fact that he talk is analysed using a question and answer methodology (in the Moldovan case, thus far, the audience serves as the questioners rather than an invited expert).
Hence the average Sokratov Klub evening in Moldova addresses four different topics with four different speakers. The speakers are free to choose their topic, but the evening’s moderate discusses with them beforehand to make sure the topic is suitable. Because the Sokratov Klub is organised by the previously mentioned CSC student group, the speakers are often, but not exclusively, students. Other speakers have included politicians, Catholic priests and even famous footballers! Following are some examples of talks that have been given by students:
–The History of the Evolution of Learning
–Spirited Away by Comics – I am the ruler of the world!
One important aspect of the original Socratic club from Oxford that has been partially carried over is that this first Socrates club was created with the aim of discussing ‘the intellectual difficulties connected with religion and with Christianity in particular’ Thus, our Moldovan version includes at least one presentation that addresses a topic connected to Christianity.
Just as the first Socrates club at Oxford university has spread to other places and developed different guises, so to has our Sokratov Klub in Moldova spawned a relative. The things written above related to the first club in Moldova which was started by the CSC group in Moldova’s second biggest city, Balti. However, since then the student group in Chisinau, the capital city has also started up their own version of the club. The format is similar with the main difference being that they have a theme for the evening and all the talks are related to it.
Some quotes from students who have been involved in the Sokratov Klub in Balti:
“The Socrates Club has helped me become less shy and given me much knowledge that I didn’t have before. I have learned to be more eloquent, succinct and responsible. It has also helped me find like-minded people, with whom you can have interesting conversations and share your life experience.”
‘’It was interesting, and the atmosphere was relaxing after a hard day. The subject presentations were exceptionally interesting. At Socrates club, there is always something new and instructive. New in the sense that although we know many things, often we haven’t discussed or touched on their nuances. Socrates club however does.’’
“I enjoyed being here. I found out a lot of things. It was interesting. There was a pleasant atmosphere where I could find out the answers to my questions”
“It was very interesting. Thank you for the evening!”
