Final answer:
Socrates's method of questioning, the Socratic method, was seen as dangerous because it challenged the authority and beliefs of Athenian society and democracy. His approach to seeking truth through relentless questioning undermined perceived wisdom and threatened the status quo, leading to his trial and condemnation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of questioning Socrates employed was known as the "Socratic method", which was considered dangerous because it challenged the status quo of Athenian society, including its political and educational structures. By using this method, Socrates not only demonstrated that those who claimed to have knowledge often did not, but he also encouraged a form of critical thinking that threatened the established norms and authority figures. His questioning focused on the principles underlining democratic rule and social values, revealing inconsistencies and inadequacies in people's understanding of them.
Socrates's method of inquiry was viewed as a threat to the Democratic Party and the foundations of democracy itself. This skepticism combined with his associations with a variety of controversial figures led many to mistrust him, seeing his questions as dangerous challenges rather than the pursuit of truth and improving the self through philosophy. Ultimately, his relentless questioning led to his trial, his condemnation, and the view of him as a corrosive figure in Athens