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Socrates' method = elenchus, or "philosophic examination"

This is Socrates' method of showing that an interlocutor does not know what he claims to know.

Socrates draws out implications and asks questions that lead his interlocutor into

contradiction (incoherence)
circularity (presupposing what is at issue)
infinite regress
or other violations of epistemic norms.

The process is essentially negative or destuctive. But in a positive manner, Socrates can be said to attempt:

1. To "clear the slate" (Meno 84b) and incite desire to know. (Socrates shows that an interlocuter's view is inadequate.)

2. Find a logos ("account") by testing hypotheses.

For example:

If virtue is wisdom, it must be teachable. (However, we find no teachers.)

That is, hypotheses, i.e., candidate accounts, are to be tested by elenchus, which here means drawing out ramifications and seeing whether they jibe or cohere with other things known or believed.