# Preface to the Second and Third Editions explained — Dialogues

> Chapter companion for Dialogues by Plato.

## What happens

In this preface, the translator discusses the challenges of translating Plato into idiomatic English, acknowledges contributions from various scholars, and defends the spuriousness of the Platonic Epistles by citing internal inconsistencies, historical blunders, and lack of early testimony. He also notes Dr. Henry Jackson's theory of two distinct stages in Plato's theory of Ideas.

## Themes in this chapter

### Knowledge and Ignorance

The preface examines the authenticity of the Epistles, highlighting historical inaccuracies and plagiarisms that reveal ignorance or forgery.

### Education and Virtue

Discusses the translation's aim to make Plato accessible to unlearned readers, and the educational value of comparing ancient and modern philosophy.

## Character check-ins

### Plato

The author of the dialogues being translated; the preface discusses the authenticity of his Epistles and the evolution of his theory of Ideas.

### Socrates

Referenced indirectly through comparisons to Platonic dialogues such as the Republic and Phaedrus.

### Aristotle

Mentioned in the context of ancient philosophy and the survival of pre-Socratic and Aristotelian meanings.

## Key lines

> An English translation ought to be idiomatic and interesting, not only to the scholar, but to the unlearned reader.

A translation should be natural and engaging for both scholars and general readers.

_The translator's principle for rendering Plato into English._

> They imitate Plato, who never imitates either himself or anyone else; reminiscences of the Republic and the Laws are continually recurring in them; they are too like him and also too unlike him, to be genuine.

The Epistles mimic Plato's style but are inconsistent, making them likely forgeries.

_Argument against the authenticity of the Platonic Epistles._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/preface-to-the-second-and-third-editions
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dialogues_se/chapters