Advantages mainly include the following three aspects:
first
It was originally called "discovery method". Socrates often uses discussion in conversation to express his views through questions and answers, conversations or arguments, and does not directly impart specific knowledge to students. He asked the students questions first, and the answers were all wrong. He didn't directly point out where and why they were wrong, but only suggested supplementary questions to stimulate students' thinking and find the answers to the questions together. In this sense, "midwifery" is the earliest "discovery method". On the one hand, the "discovery method" can stimulate students to think actively instead of passively receiving education, and it is also beneficial for teachers and students to exchange ideas and discuss problems.
second
"Midwifery" is conducive to mobilizing the subjective initiative of teachers and students. "Midwifery" not only requires students to study actively, but also requires teachers to guide, encourage and assist students. Just like in the process of midwifery, if there is only the unilateral guidance of the midwife or the efforts of the mother, the baby cannot be born smoothly. Similarly, in the process of education, "truth" cannot be produced without the efforts of teachers or students, because Socrates believes that truth is like a child in the womb, hidden in everyone's heart, and the process of obtaining truth is the process of producing truth.
third
"Midwifery" is conducive to developing students' potential. Socrates believes that the task of philosophers and teachers is not to fabricate and spread the truth, but to become "midwives" of new ideas. Truth exists in everyone's mind, but not everyone can find it in himself. [4]40 The task of teachers is to help people discover the truth that exists in people's hearts and help people discover their potential abilities. His "midwife" education method is to awaken students' potential and urge them to produce a kind of spiritual strength from their hearts.