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A prerequisite in the Socratic dialogue is trust. Fabry (1979)has emphasised that in
an atmosphere of trust the seeker can discoverhis true self. This dialogue is also us­
ed in groupsessions. The logotherapist must make seekers aware that they are first
and foremost humanbeings with the capacityto find meaning; that they are not a
bunch of fears, obsessions, and depressions, but individuals capable ofovercoming
their shortcomings (Guttmann 1996:146).
Today,logotherapists use the Socraticdialoguefor various purposes. Someuse it to
helpunemployed people to find meaning in their life situations by assistingthem to
get in touchwith their noetic unconscious, spiritual dimension, strength, hopes,
achievements and to recognizethe meaningpotentialinherentin that extremely diffi­
cult life situation (Greenlee 1990:71-75 & Guttmann 1996:146).
This dialogue is also used with the logoanchortechnique(Westermann 1993) where
people are suffering from existentialdilemmas. Many people feel isolated, lacking
satisfying intimate relationships and securityand are afraid ofdeath. The logoan­
chor technique can be ofhelp. This techniqueis based on rich experience,rich in
meaning, eitherfromthe past, or an anticipatedone from the future, which can be
used effectively to comfort frightened and lonely children,to bridge communication
gaps betweenpartners,to help heal griefand loss, to face fear ofdying and to find
motivation for living(Westermann 1993:27-28).
In workingwith such seekers, the Socratic dialogue, as Yoder (1989:28-39) claims,
bringsto the surfacethose "particles ofhome" and wisdom that exist preconsciously.
Thus, seekers are able to comprehend their personal wisdom derived from the past
and the present and recognizethat it is at their own disposal to be utilized in their
search for meaning.
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