Understanding Socratic Dialogues

Reading Passage: In their exploration of the ancient philosopher Socrates, contemporary scholars have often focused on his method of elenchus, a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue that seeks to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. However, this approach sometimes overshadows other significant aspects of his philosophy, particularly his emphasis on ethical self-examination. For Socrates, the unconscious life was not worth living; thus, he challenged his interlocutors not just to question conventional wisdom but also to examine their own lives in search of virtue and moral integrity. Consequently, the Socratic method was as much about personal transformation as it was about intellectual discourse.

Question: Which of the following best captures the primary purpose of Socrates' dialogues, as highlighted in the passage?