1, using question-and-answer method.

The heuristic teaching of Confucius and Socrates is to guide students to acquire knowledge by asking questions, and teachers and students can ask each other questions. Confucius' question and answer method is thought-provoking and from shallow to deep.

Similarly, Socrates' midwifery also adopted the method of question and answer. First, the teacher asks questions, and the teacher continues to ask questions according to the students' answers until the students find their ignorance. Then the teacher helps the students "midwives" acquire knowledge, and finally classifies special things into general definitions.

2. There is no class in teaching.

Regarding the object of education, both Confucius and Socrates believe that education is for everyone, regardless of class, race or status. Confucius has 3,000 disciples from different backgrounds, such as Yan Hui, who was born in poverty, Zigong was in business, and the magistrate was in prison. Confucius has no special requirements for disciple qualification. 10 piece of dried mutton can be his disciple.

Socrates has no special requirements for the teaching object, no matter rich or poor, even the slaves of Athens city-state can become his students. As long as he meets someone in need in the street, he will take pains to enlighten him until the confusion disappears.

3. Thinking training.

Both Confucius and Socrates' heuristic teaching methods are opposed to imparting knowledge directly to students. They advocate that students acquire knowledge through enlightenment and train their thinking ability at the same time.

Socrates defined virtue as "virtue is knowledge, and knowledge is an absolute definition, and I know nothing about it". Socrates said that he knew nothing about knowledge, and naturally he could not impart knowledge to learners, so there appeared the "midwifery" for delivering knowledge.

Difference:

1, dominant position.

Although both Confucius and Socrates adopt heuristic teaching, the status of teachers and students is different in the teaching process. Confucius believes that students themselves are the main body of teaching, and they should learn to think independently. Teachers can only inspire students on the basis of thinking, not thinking.

In Socrates' midwifery, teachers play a leading role in the teaching process, which is a teacher-centered heuristic teaching method in a certain sense.

In this teaching process, teachers ask questions according to what learners are familiar with, and keep asking questions according to their own preset purposes, so that students are self-contradictory and puzzled, and then through inspiration and guidance, students can draw the conclusions that teachers want to see.

2. Teaching form.

In the form of teaching organization, Confucius' forms are diverse and closely combined with reality, while Socrates' teaching organization form is single. Confucius' teaching organization forms include individual teaching, collective teaching, traveling around the world and practical investigation.

Compared with the diversity and flexibility of Confucius' teaching form, Socrates' teaching form is monotonous. He mostly teaches by one person alone. Through the four steps of Socrates' method, learners can change their original specious ideas and form a correct understanding.