Chapter 4: WRITING RESTRUCTURES CONSCIOUSNESS.

Written communication; Oral communication; Speech; History of writing; Literacy; Consciousness; History of alphabets; Plato, 428-347 B.C.; Orality & Literacy (Book); Ong, Walter J.; History

The fourth chapter of "Orality & Literacy," by Walter J. Ong, is presented. Particular attention is given to the relationship between writing, orality and consciousness. The autonomous quality of written texts as a form of documentation of speech from the information source is discussed. Parallels between Plato's argument against the utilization of the written word and the numerous complaints against the utilization of computers in the twenty-first century are considered. Plato's complaints against written speech are analyzed and discussed. The tools required or available for writing are considered. The development of alphabets, the creation of literate societies and the historical background of written documents are discussed.