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Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult t
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29 Oct 2025, 00:10
29 Oct 2025, 00:10
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Question 1
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Question Stats:
56% (02:15) correct
44% (02:37) wrong based on 9 sessions
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Question 2
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Question Stats:
75% (01:16) correct
25% (00:06) wrong based on 4 sessions
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Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult to consider writing to be an alien technology, as we commonly assume printing and the computer to be. Most people are surprised to learn that essentially the same objections commonly urged today against computers were urged by Plato in the Phaedrus, against writing. Writing, Plato has Socrates say, is inhuman, pretending to establish outside the mind what in reality can be only in the mind. Secondly, Plato's Socrates urges, writing destroys memory. Those who use writing will become forgetful, relying on external resource for what they lack in internal resources. Thirdly, a written text is basically unresponsive, whereas real speech and thought always exist essentially in a context of give-and-take between real persons.
Which of the following would the author of the passage most likely agree with?
A. Writing can at times appear as inhuman.
B. A negative aspect of writing is that it could destroy memory.
C. Writing can at times fail to provide the right context.
D. Writing is more important than other cognitive skills.
E. There have been people in the past who have opposed the technology of writing.
What is the relation between the highlighted lines in the passage?
A. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second provides explanation for the main thesis.
B. The first is the primary conclusion of the passage and the second provides an alternate contradictory conclusion.
C. The first is a rebuttal of Platos's argument and the second is Plato's main argument.
D. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second contradicts the main thesis of the author.
E. The first is a point made in opposition of the advocacy of a truth and the second is that truth.
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Re: Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult t
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19 Nov 2025, 00:15
19 Nov 2025, 00:15
Expert Reply
This passage requires careful reading because the author is primarily acting as a messenger, relaying Plato's views on writing, rather than offering their own strong opinion on whether writing is truly negative.
Question 1: Which of the following would the author of the passage most likely agree with?
The author introduces and supports the idea that people have opposed writing technology in the past, as evidenced by the detailed recounting of Plato's (Socrates') objections. The author's own voice appears in the first and second sentences.
- First sentence: "Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult to consider writing to be an alien technology..." (Author's observation)
- Second sentence: "...we commonly assume printing and the computer to be. Most people are surprised to learn that essentially the same objections commonly urged today against computers were urged by Plato in the Phaedrus, against writing." (Author's core point)
- A. Writing can at times appear as inhuman. (This is Plato's argument, not the author's affirmed belief.)
- B. A negative aspect of writing is that it could destroy memory. (This is Plato's argument, not the author's affirmed belief.)
- C. Writing can at times fail to provide the right context. (This is Plato's argument, not the author's affirmed belief.)
- D. Writing is more important than other cognitive skills. (Unsupported.)
- E. There have been people in the past who have opposed the technology of writing. (This is the entire premise the author uses the Plato example to prove-that writing was once viewed as an "alien technology" and met with objections, just as computers are today.)
The author's primary goal is to show the historical existence of these objections.
The correct choice is E . There have been people in the past who have opposed the technology of writing.
Question 1: Which of the following would the author of the passage most likely agree with?
The author introduces and supports the idea that people have opposed writing technology in the past, as evidenced by the detailed recounting of Plato's (Socrates') objections. The author's own voice appears in the first and second sentences.
- First sentence: "Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult to consider writing to be an alien technology..." (Author's observation)
- Second sentence: "...we commonly assume printing and the computer to be. Most people are surprised to learn that essentially the same objections commonly urged today against computers were urged by Plato in the Phaedrus, against writing." (Author's core point)
- A. Writing can at times appear as inhuman. (This is Plato's argument, not the author's affirmed belief.)
- B. A negative aspect of writing is that it could destroy memory. (This is Plato's argument, not the author's affirmed belief.)
- C. Writing can at times fail to provide the right context. (This is Plato's argument, not the author's affirmed belief.)
- D. Writing is more important than other cognitive skills. (Unsupported.)
- E. There have been people in the past who have opposed the technology of writing. (This is the entire premise the author uses the Plato example to prove-that writing was once viewed as an "alien technology" and met with objections, just as computers are today.)
The author's primary goal is to show the historical existence of these objections.
The correct choice is E . There have been people in the past who have opposed the technology of writing.
Re: Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult t
[#permalink]
19 Nov 2025, 00:15
19 Nov 2025, 00:15
Expert Reply
Question 2: What is the relation between the highlighted lines in the passage?
The passage you provided does not contain any highlighted lines. Assuming the user meant to highlight the two main contrasting ideas:
1. Idea 1 (The author's observation/setup): "Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult to consider writing to be an alien technology, as we commonly assume printing and the computer to be."
2. Idea $\mathbf{2}$ (The evidence/Plato's claim): "Most people are surprised to learn that essentially the same objections commonly urged today against computers were urged by Plato in the Phaedrus, against writing."
If these are the intended highlighted sections, let's analyze the relationship:
- Idea 1 states the author's thesis: We currently see writing as a natural part of life, not as technology.
- Idea 2 immediately follows and provides the evidence (Plato's surprising objections) to explain and support the author's thesis, proving that at one time, writing was seen as an alien technology with serious drawbacks.
Based on this structural relationship:
- A. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second provides explanation for the main thesis. (This is the best fit.)
- B. The first is the primary conclusion of the passage and the second provides an alternate contradictory conclusion. (The second supports the first, it does not contradict it.)
- C. The first is a rebuttal of Plato's argument and the second is Plato's main argument. (The first is the author's point; the second introduces Plato's argument.)
- D. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second contradicts the main thesis of the author. (The second supports the first.)
- E. The first is a point made in opposition of the advocacy of a truth and the second is that truth. (Too vague.)
The correct choice is A . The first is the main thesis of the author and the second provides explanation for the main thesis.
The passage you provided does not contain any highlighted lines. Assuming the user meant to highlight the two main contrasting ideas:
1. Idea 1 (The author's observation/setup): "Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult to consider writing to be an alien technology, as we commonly assume printing and the computer to be."
2. Idea $\mathbf{2}$ (The evidence/Plato's claim): "Most people are surprised to learn that essentially the same objections commonly urged today against computers were urged by Plato in the Phaedrus, against writing."
If these are the intended highlighted sections, let's analyze the relationship:
- Idea 1 states the author's thesis: We currently see writing as a natural part of life, not as technology.
- Idea 2 immediately follows and provides the evidence (Plato's surprising objections) to explain and support the author's thesis, proving that at one time, writing was seen as an alien technology with serious drawbacks.
Based on this structural relationship:
- A. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second provides explanation for the main thesis. (This is the best fit.)
- B. The first is the primary conclusion of the passage and the second provides an alternate contradictory conclusion. (The second supports the first, it does not contradict it.)
- C. The first is a rebuttal of Plato's argument and the second is Plato's main argument. (The first is the author's point; the second introduces Plato's argument.)
- D. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second contradicts the main thesis of the author. (The second supports the first.)
- E. The first is a point made in opposition of the advocacy of a truth and the second is that truth. (Too vague.)
The correct choice is A . The first is the main thesis of the author and the second provides explanation for the main thesis.
