In the Phaedrus, Plato argued that the new arrival of…
“In the Phaedrus, Plato argued that the new arrival of writing would revolutionize culture for the worst. He suggested that it would substitute reminiscence for thought and mechanical learning for the true dialect of the living quest for truth by disc”
About This Quote
Source Book: Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan, 1964
Plato feared that writing would replace memory and active thinking with passive recall, weakening the quest for truth.
In simple terms: Writing could diminish active thought by favoring memorization.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical thinking alongside written knowledge.
Themes
technology
memory
philosophy
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- education
- digital media consumption
- archival research
Key Concepts
cognitive shift
cultural impact
knowledge transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern tools risk replacing deep thinking?
- How can we balance written records with active reflection?
A Different Perspective
Writing also preserves ideas beyond oral limits.