Note 53 — Chapter VI · PLATONIC CANON, AS RECOGNISED BY THRASYLLUS.

Mullach (Democr. Fragm. p. 100) accuses Thrasyllus of an entire want of critical sentiment, and pronounces his catalogue to be altogether without value as an evidence of genuine Platonic works — because Thrasyllus admits many dialogues, “quos doctorum nostri sæculi virorum acumen è librorum Platonicorum numero exemit”.

This observation exactly illustrates the conclusion which I desire to bring out. I admit that Thrasyllus had a critical sentiment different from that of the modern Platonic commentators; but I believe that in the present case he proceeded upon other evidence — recognition by the Alexandrine library. My difference with Mullach is, that I consider this recognition (in a question of genuine or spurious) as more trustworthy evidence than the critical sentiment of modern literati.