Scipio, Poliphilus and Lissias

Meaning

These named literary examples defend the dignity of philosophical dream-writing, both in conception and in workmanship. Scipio’s dream and Poliphile stand beside the printed “Lissias de Platon” as precedents against dismissing a discourse merely because it takes a visionary form.

The exact Lissias is protected: the passage does not securely identify a Platonic title, so no familiar dialogue-name is substituted. Similarly, citing the dreams does not certify their visions as literal events. Their office is argumentative precedent for a literary mode in which the soul’s temporary freedom from bodily distraction can disclose higher subjects.