How did Socrates use debate to investigate ethical definitions?

Socrates utilized a form of logical argumentation known as the Socratic method (or elenchus) to investigate ethical definitions. Rather than acting as a teacher, he presented himself as an ignorant inquirer, asking interlocutors to define concepts such as piety or justice.12

His approach was not to seek a simple dictionary definition, but a "real" definition that captured the essential nature of the virtue in question. Through a series of probing questions, Socrates led his interlocutors to offer an initial answer, which he then tested against their other beliefs. By demonstrating that their various answers were inconsistent or contradictory, he revealed their lack of understanding regarding the concepts they claimed to know.314

This process was intended to expose the interlocutor's ignorance, which Socrates viewed as the first step toward wisdom. While Socrates often left these specific ethical questions without a final, positive answer, his method served as a rigorous tool for clearing away unsupported assumptions and misconceptions, ultimately aiming to elicit a clearer and more consistent understanding of ethical truths.143