In 'The Ciceronian,' Erasmus criticizes the detrimental effects of perfectionism on writing through the character Nosoponus, who is paralyzed by his desire for flawless prose. In a dialogue with two experienced writers, he illustrates the difficulty of producing even simple correspondence, emphasizing how his intense focus leads to frustration and inaction. The article draws parallels to contemporary tools like large language models, which assist in writing, and asserts that humanist education historically provided similar skills for efficient communication, akin to today's technological aids.
Erasmus's Ciceronian illustrates a struggle with perfectionism in writing, personified by Nosoponus, whose obsession impedes his ability to communicate effectively.
The treatise highlights how humanist education could foster swift, eloquent writing, a concept mirrored in modern-day language models.
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