Harkness

Welcometo Harkness

A place for shared inquiry. Post a Hark, one ongoing inquiry, and develop it with others through three timed stages: Ask, Challenge and Refine.

01 · Tour

How a Harkgrows

  • Start a Hark
  • Ask
  • Challenge
  • Refine
  • Folio

A Hark is one ongoing inquiry. It runs through three timed stages on its creator's schedule, and Research can then pass review and become a Folio.

  1. Start a Hark

    Post one ongoing inquiry: a question, or your research.

  2. Ask

    Others ask. Socrates asks too, and never answers.

  3. Challenge

    The work is tested in the open.

  4. Refine

    You refine it on what was asked and challenged.

  5. Folio

    Research passes review by a Platform Expert and becomes a permanent record.

02 · Harkness Method

The HarknessMethod

  • Oval table
  • 12 to 15 seats
  • Peer-led inquiry

Developed at Phillips Exeter Academy, the Harkness method centers learning around an oval wooden table where 12 to 15 students and a teacher sit as equals. The table asks for active listening, equal participation and questions that move.

03 · Socratic Method

The SocraticMethod

  • Elenchus
  • Aporia
  • Questions, not lectures

A form of cooperative dialogue built on asking and answering questions. The one who leads does not lecture: they act as a midwife of thought, exposing contradictions until a deeper truth is reached. On Harkness, Socrates only asks.

Socrates asks · Causal analysis
If we accept premise X as the primary cause, what downstream effects must follow?
Socrates asks · Comparative analysis
Where does one reading of line 14 diverge from another, and where do their assumptions overlap?
Socrates asks · Process analysis
Can someone trace the steps the author took from premise A to conclusion C?
Socrates asks · Division and classification
Into what categories can we organize the viewpoints at this table so far?

04 · About us

A place forshared inquiry

  • Contributors
  • Platform Experts
  • Socrates

Harkness is a place for shared inquiry. Contributors, Platform Experts and Socrates take part in every Hark.

Early access is open.

Every new account starts as a Member.

  • Inquiries are tested in the open.
  • Useful contributions are credited.
  • Published Folios are trusted because humans reviewed them.