Socrates’ argument in Phaedrus
I don’t agree with Socrates’ argument in Phaedrus. In order for Socrates himself to be considered a great philosopher, his ideologies would have needed to be recorded so that others can give him the title of a great philosopher. One cannot call themself great, it is for others to give them that title. What stood out to me the most in Phaedrus is a quote from Socrates about speeches. “…And when they have been once written down they are tossed about anywhere among those who do and among those who do not understand them …” (97). Some of the most memorable speeches such as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King’s Jr. I Have a Dream speech are still being recited today. They were not just written down and tossed somewhere and they most definitely got their point across.
Plato and the idea of writing
I find Plato is a bit hypocritical to not only write, but to even consider the idea of writing is bad. As a philosopher, I think that he and Socrates get too logical with their ideologies. As oppose to a poet, who may be more creative and free spirited with their writing. Creativity is objective and not everyone is going to understand that. You do not always need to be logical to be creative and that may be why Plato attacked poetry through Socrates.
I would assume with Plato being a writer would want people to read his works such as Phaedrus. I do not understand how reading might substitute for remembering, leading to a loss of inner depth. I personally think that constant reading encourages a thirst for knowledge and would challenge the brain therefore gaining “inner depth”. Creativity is all about having inner depth in my opinion.
Carr and the internet
I agree with Carr’s argument for the most part. He says, “immersing myself in a book or a lengthy article used to be easy…Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages” (6). I can relate to that. I used to read more books when I was younger. I still read e-books now, but sometimes I have to stop reading because the staring at the screen so long messed with my eyes. Even at work, after typing for so long and staring at the computer screen, my eyes feels as if they are twitching and dry. Even reading this article took me longer than it should have because I’m trying to do too many things on the computer. As great as the internet is, it is very distracting because the possibilities are endless. I can shop and listen not even read an e-book at the same time. Having a physical book in hand, where the only thing to do is read the book is way less distracting. I’m focused on just that book. The internet, “dumbs down” my concentration.