Question

In his dialogue Phaedrus, Plato retells an Egyptian myth about the origins of writing. In this myth, the god Thoth proudly shows off his new invention (writing) to the king of the gods, Thamus. The latter, though, is more worried than impressed. He warns Thoth that instead of using writing to aid their memory, people will use writing as a substitute for remembering things. Thamus even suggests that writing will help hucksters pretend to be wise.

In Plato’s time, most people didn’t know how to read. As such, people developed elaborate systems of memorization. What are the advantages and disadvantages of needing to memorize things and pass them on orally? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being able to write things down?

Answer 1

Advantages of memorizing the things and passing them orally are described as follows:-

• It makes the mind more sharp and healthy when people try to memorize the things.
• Memorization challenges our brain and it becomes more stronger.
• It imroves root learning neural plasticity which means learners can actually recall more information overall.
• Memorization also helps and offers a mental gymnastics exercise.
• People who remember equations, functions, definitions and other memorized facts can save brain power that can be used for other things.
• It helps in more focusing on the goals.
• These memorization skills are are essential to learn new concepts.
• Memorization and working memory is helpful for creativity.

Disadvantages

• Oral tradition does not go too long in the past. the transmission of information depend on the power of memories of successive generations
• Oral tradition does not maintain the same value of the oral history; instead the values keeps on changing as time goes
• Oral tradition may be biased. This is possible because of nature of transmission itself. Oral transmission is full of exaggeration, creativity and sometimes the informant may talk of good things only.
• Sometimes in the case of oral history or memorization the more we learn, the more we forget
• It may also be observed that if we dont understand or learn we fail miserably
• Memorization and oral history becomes a pressure on mind rather then a exercise

Advantages of writing things down

• Writing helps in clear communication with other people
• Writing helps in eliminating stress
• Writing makes the work more productive and authentic
• Writing leads to more learning and permanent learning
• Writing helps in gaining awareness of reality
• Writing gives a sense of accomplishment
• Writing boosts efficiency
• Writing makes the brain more healthy
• Writing always keep a record of communication
• We can communicate with many people at the same time with the help of writing

Disadvantages

• Writing always need a stationary and manpower requirement
• Writing is a time consuming process
• In the process of writing the reply and the response is not spontaneous
• Writing needs effective skills
• In written communication there are some formalities to be maintained and that is why no adjustment is possible after the communication has been done
• Secrecy can be maintained in oral communication not in the written communication
• Writting can be exaggerated
• Instateneous feedback cannot be seen in wriiting part