Philosophy in the <b> <i>Seventh Letter</i> </b>

Abstract A text and translation, with analytical commentary, of the so-called philosophical digression (340 b –344 d ) section of the Seventh Letter attributed to Plato. The digression’s central argument concerning the “weakness of language” (343 a 1), I argue, has been misrepresented by friend (e.g., Vasilis Politis) and foe (e.g., Myles Burnyeat) alike, as has the overall purport of the digression, which has been taken to show that “the highest philosophical insight” (Terence Irwin) cannot be expressed in speech or in writing. When properly understood it doesn’t show this and is not intended to. Though the digression, like the rest of the Seventh Letter , almost certainly isn’t by Plato, it is as competent as what is said by Plato himself on its topic and seems to owe much to his arguments.