The overlecturing and underteaching of clinical medicine.

I n ancient Greece, a group of traveling “wise men,’’ known as sophists, lectured on a large variety of subjects. Their presentations were spectacular and highly influential because they spoke beautifully. Socrates, on the other hand, tried to develop the minds of young people by asking a series of carefully conceived questions; he taught his students to think. Socrates considered the sophists to be poor teachers, and they believed that he was a dangerous eccentric. Socrates continued his efforts, which eventually led to his death. The debate continues. Which method of teaching is the best? This article, which is admittedly biased, addresses this serious question.