ABSTRACT
We have now collected sufficient examples for us to return to our list of the essential characteristics of the Platonic dialogues and to be able to inquire into their original meaning. The critique of writing in the Phaedrus provides the essential points of view for interpreting the form of the dialogues. Only this clue of Plato’s own can give us the guarantee that we are not privileging modern habits of thought and prejudices over Plato’s own intentions.
