rate to let you know generally which of Plato's Dialogues are dialectical, which ethical, and which physical. I have mentioned only the principal Dialogues on the three branches of science.
6. Much controversy has prevailed in regard to the genuineness of the Platonic writings. Some inquirers, actuated by a spirit of extreme scepticism, have admitted as genuine a very meagre proportion of his Dialogues, while others, influenced by a contrary spirit of extreme credulity, have accepted as his everything which has come down to us in his name. The truth seems to be, that while several of the compositions which are incorporated with all the editions of Plato's works must be pronounced spurious, all the more important Dialogues are genuine. The following is a list of the writings which have been generally regarded as spurious by those who are most competent to judge on this question. The Platonic Epistles (although these, I believe, are defended as genuine by so high an authority as Mr Grote.[1]). The Epinomis, the second Alcibiades, the Theages, Anterasæ, or the rivals in love, Hipparchus, Minos, and Clitophon.[2] With the exception of these few and comparatively insignificant pieces, the entire body of the Platonic writings may be relied on as genuine, as the authentic utterances of the great disciple of Socrates. They are compositions which, whether we look to their style or their substance, far
