When canonical writers disagree then what happens? Consider this: Plato, who is one of the first canonical writers wrote regarding his educator Socrates, he puts him in one light while other contemporary, but almost equally important writers, Aristophanes and Xenophon wrote about Socrates, they chalk out an almost different account of Socrates. Which version is the correct version? It is important to note that Plato was the one who was against the form of writing, and therefore for him “literature” is a faulty illustration in his Phaedrus. When Athens was defeated in the Peloponnesian War, Socrates was put on trial in 399 B.C. as a victim, and like a courtroom record, the Apology of Socrates epitomizes trial by a bench of judges as an additional democratic creation of Athens. Socrates smartly utilizesthe language in the courtroom for making sure that he gets executed, just like a tragic hero for the betterment of the state. Hence, this version gets the upper hand (to answer the starting question) because networksare important in canon formation and Plato’s network was the strongest because his student’s (Aristotle) student (Alexander the Great) helped to spread his word all over the world, and therefore Plato’s version of Socrates wins out.
Ram Jaipal College, Jai Prakash University, Chapra
