Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it

Question

Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it difficult to consider writing an alien technology, as we commonly assume printing and 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.

What is the relation between bold face lines in the passage?

A. The first is the main thesis of the author and second provides explanation for the main thesis
B. The first is the primary conclusion of the passage and second provides an alternate contradictory conclusion
C. The first is a rebuttal of Plato'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.

carcass · Answer

Some considerations about this question:

first of all it is an excerpt of a passage. see here because-we-have-so-deeply-interiorized-writing-we-find-it-150148.html

As such, this is querstion is out of context, eventually

Secondly: the reasoning behind is to abstract for a gmat-like question, in my opinion. This is a verbal reasoning question from GRE, then this question is out of scope.

I would pick A if I had to choose.

regards

I would pick A if I had to choose. regards

mba1382 · Answer

OA is indeed A and kudos to you :-)

I was quite baffled to read options and wasn't able to make sense of any options,thinking could questions such as these appear at 700-750 level :-O

ankur1901 · Answer

Reading both statements we can make out that both of them are supporting one another. Now looking at the ans choices

A. The first is the main thesis of the author and second provides explanation for the main thesis
Both in sync --> Correct choice.

B. The first is the primary conclusion of the passage and second provides an alternate contradictory conclusion
Conclusion Vs Alternate conclusion --> Reject

C. The first is a rebuttal of Plato's argument and the second is Plato's main argument.
Rebuttal of arg Vs Main arg --> Reject

D. The first is the main thesis of the author and the second contradicts the main thesis of the author.
main thesis Vs Contract main thesis --> Reject

E. The first is a point made in opposition of the advocacy of a truth and the second is that truth.
Opp of advocacy of truth Vs truth --> Reject

carcass · Answer

I would like to receive your kudos for my considerations rather than I picked the right answer :-)

simply because is quite difficult that you see a question like this at the highest level i.e. 800 level. I t is a kind of reasoning that doesn't belong to this test. It doesn't come from this galaxy ;-)

So I would not spend too much effort on this though I was in your same scenario Hope this helps

apoorv601 · Answer

A 
Totally straightforward, other options can be negated by POE

Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it

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Because we have so deeply interiorized writing, we find it

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