Plato, in writing words into Socrate's mouth, was cautioning against the atrophy of the skill of memorization of oratory, which was how histories had been passed up to that time.
Whether this was Plato's idea, or Socrates', the idea wasn't wrong. It was, however, irrelevant. It is acceptable for that skill to atrophy if we replace it with something far more durable.
The irony of putting that in writing would not have been lost on Plato.
Whether this was Plato's idea, or Socrates', the idea wasn't wrong. It was, however, irrelevant. It is acceptable for that skill to atrophy if we replace it with something far more durable.
The irony of putting that in writing would not have been lost on Plato.