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Searching for answers

London – Socratic Search is a search engine that enables users to explore Google using the principles of the Socratic method.

Designed by Royal College of Art graduate Ted Hunt, Socratic Search uses Google Custom Search technology
The search engine enables users to approach a question from a range of perspectives

Socratic Search by Ted Hunt, London

The Socratic method, developed by Greek philosopher Socrates, is a teaching tool that asks people to question their questions to gain deeper insights into themselves and the world around them, and challenge pre-existing ideas.

Socratic Search combines the philosopher’s method with Google Custom Search technology to enable users to seek answers using one of five search buttons. View Evidence directs users to fact-based websites, while Consider Implications links to conceptual content that weighs up the pros and cons of the user’s question.

‘Much has been written about technology’s tendency to trap us into search bubbles, but little is done to proactively help us out of these traps,’ explains Hunt. ‘Socratic Search is a tool that helps to burst search bubbles.’

The Big Picture

Consumers are frequently trapped by search engine filter bubbles that yield limited, biased results. For more on how brands are introducing serendipity to burst the bubble, read our Revelation Brands macrotrend.