Together with Aristippus, Plato was a follower of Socrates. Plato and Aristippus were contemporaries and, both being philosophers, could have met and had discussions on many occasions. More importantly, Plato could have had first-hand knowledge of Aristippus' philosophy and doctrine. If this is so, Plato is likely to have confronted Aristippus' views in some of his dialogues. So if there is evidence that Plato discusses Cyrenaic views in some of his dialogues, we shall be in an excellent position to have vital information on Aristippus and his school. In short, we will be in a better position to argue for the foundation by Aristippus of the Cyrenaic school. It is plain that if Plato refers in his dialogues to some philosophical views that we can, with good reason, ascribe to Aristippus, this will show that Aristippus was a real philosopher whose views Plato wished to discuss for their doctrinal relevance. If Plato held Aristippus to be a philosopher, the probability that he founded a Socratic school would be much higher. That is why detractors of Aristippus aim to disregard Plato's testimony. They wish to prove that, since there is no real evidence that Plato refers to Aristippus in his dialogues, that is a clear sign that Aristippus did not elaborate any of the views that are characteristic of the Cyrenaic school (see Giannantoni 1958: 117–69; 1991: vol. I, 1H Appendix).