Abstract

The author believes that plato's view of the nature of philosophical activity can be seen in plato's paradoxical attitude toward the relationship between the written and spoken word. The "phaedrus" is examined from this perspective, And the author concludes that the varied wing symbols used by plato here indicate that although written words "have no wings," the words of philosophy do. Written words have some effectiveness for persuasion, But a philosopher needs more spirited interaction than this; only the spoken word can supply this. (staff)