The Myth of Thamus and Theuth Has writing allowed the pretense of understanding rather than true understanding?

Have you ever considered the consequences of the invention of writing? Do you think that it may have weakened the necessity and power of memory and allowed for the pretense of understanding rather than true understanding?

In the Phaedrus, a book written by Plato about 370 BCE, Plato records a discussion between Socrates and Phaedrus about the Myth of Thamus and Theuth concerning the invention of writing.

In the conversation, Socrates criticizes writing for weakening the necessity and power of memory and for allowing the pretense of understanding rather than true understanding.

For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory.

Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them.

You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will, therefore, seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with since they are not wise, but only appear wise.

Credit: Phaedrus by Plato

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