# Preface to the First Edition explained — Dialogues

> Chapter companion for Dialogues by Plato.

## What happens

In the preface, the translator discusses the challenges of determining the authenticity of Plato's dialogues, referencing the views of Schaarschmidt and Grote. He acknowledges the variety of doctrine and style across the dialogues, defends the inclusion of works like the Sophist and Politicus, and expresses his respect for Grote while disagreeing on several points, including the value of the Laws and the Sophists. He also thanks his collaborators and lists the scholarly works that aided his translation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Knowledge and Ignorance

The preface grapples with the problem of authenticating Plato's writings, highlighting the tension between scholarly knowledge and uncertainty about the Platonic corpus.

### Education and Virtue

The translator's aim to represent Plato as the father of Idealism and to provide instruments of thought for future generations reflects an educational mission.

## Character check-ins

### Parmenides

Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'I am not going to lay hands on my father Parmenides' (Sophist 241 D), showing respect for the philosopher.

## Key lines

> I cannot close this Preface without expressing my deep respect for his noble and gentle character, and the great services which he has rendered to Greek Literature.

The translator expresses profound admiration for Grote's character and his contributions to the study of Greek literature.

_This shows the translator's personal respect for Grote despite their scholarly disagreements._

> He is the poet or maker of ideas, satisfying the wants of his own age, providing the instruments of thought for future generations.

Plato is described as a creative thinker who addressed the needs of his time and supplied conceptual tools for later thinkers.

_This encapsulates the translator's view of Plato as an idealist philosopher rather than a systematic theorist._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/preface-to-the-first-edition
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/chapters