Framework 1: The Five Whys Evolution
Traditional Five Whys go deep on causation. The Socratic version explores multiple dimensions:
```text You: "I'm struggling with team productivity"
AI: "Why do you believe productivity is the real issue versus engagement or clarity?" You: "Because we're missing deadlines"
AI: "Why might deadline-missing be a symptom rather than the root problem?" You: "Maybe people don't understand priorities"
AI: "Why would unclear priorities persist in your team structure?" You: "We don't have a good planning process"
AI: "Why has developing a planning process been deprioritized until now?" You: "I've been too busy fighting fires"
AI: "Why does your role involve so much firefighting rather than prevention?" ```text Each "why" reveals a deeper layer of the real issue.
Framework 2: The Assumption Ladder
This framework systematically challenges beliefs:
```text PROMPT: "I believe [statement]. Play Socratic questioner to help me examine this belief from all angles."
AI Response Pattern: 1. "What evidence supports this belief?" 2. "When has this belief been wrong before?" 3. "Who benefits if this belief is true?" 4. "What would have to change for this belief to be false?" 5. "How might this belief be limiting your options?" ```text
Framework 3: The Perspective Prism
Examine ideas through multiple lenses:
```text "Help me explore [topic] through Socratic questioning from these perspectives: - The skeptic (what could go wrong?) - The optimist (what's the hidden potential?) - The realist (what are the practical constraints?) - The innovator (what if we broke the rules?) - The historian (what can we learn from similar situations?)" ```text
Framework 4: The Decision Tree Explorer
For complex decisions:
```text "I need to decide [decision]. Use Socratic questioning to help me explore: 1. What I really want (values clarification) 2. What I'm afraid of (fear examination) 3. What I'm not considering (blind spot detection) 4. What matters most long-term (priority alignment) 5. What my gut is telling me (intuition articulation)" ```text