Abstract

This essay is an account of the Socratic dialogue as a form of philosophical practice in an unusual setting, in prison. It conveys an overall picture of how in Tegel Penal Institution Socratic dialogue proceeds, and the kind of application for it in that setting. Among important aspects handled here are the characteristics through which Socratic dialogue demarcates itself from those customarily practiced techniques of psychological and therapeutic dialogue in prisons. The focus is on the question, whether any, and which kinds of, effects can be hoped for through Socratic dialogue in prisons