Re-Counting Plato: A Computer Analysis of Plato's Style

By Gerard R. Ledger

In this revolutionary new study, G.R. Ledger applies the statistical methods of stylometry to a number of ancient authors. By taking as the set of variables the occurrence of particular letters of the alphabet, Ledger comes far closer to being able to identify the works of particular authors than previous stylometric studies based on individual word counts. A preliminary analysis examines the work of several Greek authors of the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., and is followed by an extensive, detailed examination of the Platonic corpus. From this, Ledger draws new conclusions about the authenticity of the dubious dialogues and the chronology of the entire corpus.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198146817
• ISBN13: 9780198146810
• Release Date: March 1990
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 272 Pages