Eric Alfred Havelock was a British classicist who radically reshaped our understanding of the ancient world. Breaking from the traditional Oxbridge approach to classical studies, he proposed a pivotal division between literature from the 6th and 5th centuries BC and that of the 4th century BC. His central, though controversial, thesis argued that Western thought was profoundly shaped by the transition of Greek philosophy from oral to literate forms. Havelock's influential ideas established the field of orality-literacy studies and impacted communication theories, extending his reach beyond classical scholarship.
From Its Shadow in Homer to Its Substance in Plato
The book explores the evolution of the concept of justice in early Greece, highlighting the transformative impact of transitioning from oral tradition to a literate society. Eric Havelock examines how these changes influenced societal values and perceptions of justice, offering a thought-provoking analysis of cultural shifts during this pivotal period in Greek history.
Plato's frontal attack on poetry has always been a problem for sympathetic students, who have often minimized or avoided it. Beginning with the premise that the attack must be taken seriously, Eric Havelock shows that Plato's hostility is explained by the continued domination of the poetic tradition in contemporary Greek thought.