Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Arthur W. H. Adkins. "Orality and Philosophy." In Language and Thought in Early Greek Philosophy. Ed. by Kevin Robb. La Salle, IL: Monist Library of Philosophy/The Hegeler Institute. pp. 91-109.

Disputes Havelock's claims that in a non-literate society solely metrical or rhythmic action sequences can be memorized and that an oral culture cannot think systematically or make statements with abstract subjects. Citing the equivalency of such passages as Phaedo 100e7-101b2 and Iliad 3.168-94, attempts to show that members of an oral culture were capable of raising philosophical questions. Concludes that there is not a necessary link between literacy and abstract thought, since non-literates could be concerned with abstract language, as in Odyssey 9.406ff.
Area: AG