It's like Trivial Pursuit for Self-Discovery
Socratic Cards are deep, fun questions that spark meaningful conversations.
In a high-tech world, some of the best moments still happen around a table after dinner. A group of smart, curious people talking late into the evening. Sharing perspectives. Testing ideas. Asking big questions. Part conversation, part planning the future, part glimpsing into who people really are.
Socratic Cards are fun for summer house evenings, dorm room late nights, jump-starting meetings, or saving a dinner party. Between 1 and 8 participants. From 15 to 60 minutes.
Connect with people, not technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Socratic questions?
Socratic questions are open-ended questions asked and discussed to explore complex ideas. Everyone loves good Socratic questions, but coming up with meaningful questions can be hard. Socratic Cards provides 50 beautifully crafted questions.
What are Socratic Cards?
A deck of Socratic Cards is a fun way to spark deep conversations. 50 poker sized card, 50 questions, written in a font that centers, not shouts.
The Pro Edition of Socratic Cards adds more work-centric questions, real world challenges, and a progression path towards becoming a mentor and leader.
The Pro Edition of Socratic Cards adds more work-centric questions, real world challenges, and a progression path towards becoming a mentor and leader.
Is Socratic Cards a game?
A Socratic Cards deck come with simple rules to play as a game.
Players are always coming up with new ways to use them, because the engagement and replayability come from the questions themselves. Each question is carefully crafted to generate energy, encourage reflection, strengthen interpersonal connection within a group, and have implications for one’s future.
- The Host selects and reads a question.
- Everyone takes a clear position (often by show of hands). Discuss—ask “why?” and question each other.
- Continue as long as there is energy. At the end, each participant can callout (award a point to) an insightful comment (the bon mot) from the conversation.
- Repeat for as many questions as you like.
Players are always coming up with new ways to use them, because the engagement and replayability come from the questions themselves. Each question is carefully crafted to generate energy, encourage reflection, strengthen interpersonal connection within a group, and have implications for one’s future.
Who is the audience?
Socratic Cards: Conversation Edition is designed for social settings, friends, and family. Age 14 on up. Pack a few decks when heading off to the summer house or to the dorm. They make perfect hostess gifts and stocking stuffers. The questions are also for business leaders to engage their groups, such as at the begining of a staff meeting. And instructors find that a ten minute Socratic Cards discussion helps add purpose to a class.
What are Socratic dialogues?
Socratic dialogues are the conversations that come after a Socratic question is asked. Socratic dialogues are intellectual superfoods: easy to begin, endlessly rewarding to master. They build curiosity, empathy, confidence, and insight.
A good Socratic dialogue leader will ask follow up questions of participants to test answers and implications, and more importantly, encourage participants to ask questions of each other.
The skill of hosting a Socratic dialogue is essential for leadership in almost any profession or role.
A good Socratic dialogue leader will ask follow up questions of participants to test answers and implications, and more importantly, encourage participants to ask questions of each other.
- “Why?”
- “Go deeper.”
- “What experiences led you to this conclusion?”
- “Does this have any implications for your future?”
The skill of hosting a Socratic dialogue is essential for leadership in almost any profession or role.
Who designed Socratic Cards?
Socratic Cards were developed by Clark Aldrich with his long-time editor Muffy Aldrich based on collaborations with high performing leaders across sectors.
What is the philosophy behind the deck?
The deck is structured around models of growth and purpose that align with John Wooden (as popularized by Ted Lasso), Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, and Charlie Munger’s mental models. To do this, each card focuses on one or more of the following: Using Time Well; Achieving Excellence; Finding Your Calling; Mental Models; Reducing Drama (in a group); Building Habits; and Increasing Energy (and fun) of a group.
Does playing Socratic Cards develop skills, such as active listening, critical thinking, empathy, and communication?
Absolutely. The more you play Socratic Cards, either as a host or a participant, the better you will get at these essential leadership skills.