A Time Before Deception "Assumption #1"

Cooper's first assumption concerning cultural bias is that "literate cultures are superior."

This is an obviously flawed statement. Literate culture assumes a superiority because of the supposed higher importance of technological advanacemene, scientifically verifiable intelligence and higher socioeconimoc status. The same way you can't consider man today as having progressed over man 200 year ago, you can assume that textual communication alludes superiority. Especially when you consider the social implications of oral traditions, through which it seems that cultural values are better retained and appreciated. Oral traditions emphasise the importance of family and their elders. Oral tradition is absolutely necessary for the survival of such a culture.

We can see that in literate society, less significance is placed on rituals and traditions. In putting religion into writing, it standardizes, making it applicable and accessible to the masses. however in doing so it becomes less personal and less connectable. It removes the role individual commune. In literate culture, it seems as if religion has become more of a moral safehaven than a sincere communion with the sacred.