The Authenticity of Plato's Original Writings: Does the Real Book Exist Today?
Many scholars and enthusiasts often wonder about the authenticity and existence of the original writings of ancient philosophers like Plato. The question of whether the real book, the one Plato wrote with his own hand, still exists—or indeed ever did—is central to discussions of literary authenticity and scholarly pursuits.
Do Original Manuscripts of Plato Exist?
No, the original texts written by Plato do not exist today. Plato lived in ancient Greece from approximately 427 to 347 BCE, during a time when writing materials and storage methods were primitive. It is almost certain that no original manuscripts survive. Following the philosopher's death, his works were reproduced and translated by scribes over the centuries. These copies, while not the original manuscripts, are the closest representation to the original texts we have today.
Preservation Through Aesthetics
The copies of Plato's works were often made long after his death, contributing to their preservation through various manuscript traditions. The most famous works attributed to him, such as The Republic, Phaedo, and The Symposium, have been known and studied for centuries. For example, the Laws is now one of the most famous of Plato's writings, having been passed down through several centuries of manuscript transmission.
The Role of Christian Monks
Despite the skepticism that natural disasters and human intentions might have altered the original texts, many believe that Christian monks played a crucial role in preserving these works. Christian monks were not known for tampering with the original texts; they aimed to preserve them as accurately as possible. For instance, the work of Lucretius, a Roman philosopher, has been largely preserved due to the efforts of these custodians of knowledge.
However, there are a few notable exceptions. Books like The Corpus Hermeticum, which contains texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, have been much more heavily embellished and altered over time. Nonetheless, the vast majority of works attributed to Plato have remained relatively intact, thanks in no small part to the meticulous and dedicated efforts of scribes and scholars.
The Fidelity of Modern Copies
Our current understanding of Plato's works is based on these later copies. While we do not have the original manuscripts, the copies we possess have likely been preserved with great fidelity. Many of Plato's writings were reproduced at his Academy, which existed for hundreds of years, ensuring that the texts were copied and re-copied carefully.
The Library of Alexandria
The most significant preservation effort for Plato's works occurred in the Library of Alexandria. This massive library housed countless texts, including many copied from Plato's works. However, the burning of the Library in the 4th century CE was a catastrophic event that resulted in the loss of many texts. Yet, it's important to note that even before the Library was destroyed, numerous copies had already been made, providing a safety net for the preservation of Plato's works.
Professor Bart Ehrman, a renowned textual critic, aptly summarized the situation: 'We don’t have originals but moreover we don’t have copies of the originals nor do we even have copies of the copies of the copies!'
Therefore, while we may not have the original book written by Plato with his own hand, we do have access to versions that are highly likely to be faithful to the original texts. This is a testament to the enduring legacy of Plato's works and the tireless efforts of those who sought to preserve them through the ages.