Harwood Socrates Café asks: ‘How do we decide what is right and what is wrong?’

May 15, 2025  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Continuing a Harwood tradition, students from Harwood’s Harkness Leadership class will host a community Socrates Café on Thursday, May 22, at the Harwood Middle-High School library. 

The discussion will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and the question for all to explore will be: “How do we decide what is right and what is wrong?” 

A Socrates Café is an opportunity for dialogue about timeless and timely questions that all human beings deal with. 

Rather than being a debate, a Socrates Café is a dialogue where participants are encouraged to listen to and learn from one another. This form of discourse – and its focus on the search for knowledge – comes from the great philosopher Socrates, who observed that “Wisdom Begins in Wonder.” 

The discussion style is the basis of Harwood’s Harkness Initiative, which is both taught and practiced in a multitude of settings throughout the school year. The program has been in place for a decade. It won national recognition and Harwood students and teachers have shared it in visits to other Vermont schools over the years. 

It has become a custom for students to invite the community to experience the discussion process firsthand. These gatherings are open to all community members, regardless of age, experience, or background.  Harwood students who are experienced in leading Socratic dialogues will facilitate the discussions.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact teacher Eve Berinati eberinati@huusd.org.