This paper is about Plato's attitude to the writing of philosophy. In part 1 I align myself with the view (which can be traced back at least to Grote) that Plato chooses to write philosophical dialogues primarily in order to stimulate the reader's active involvement in the philosophical discussion. I also discuss the Phaedrus' strictures on writing and try to revive an old interpretation, advanced by Karsten, according to which they have at least something to do with the views of the historical Socrates. In part 2 I substantiate the general interpretation defended in part 1 by means of several concrete examples from the dialogues. In part 3 I offer a partial analysis of the 'philosophical excursus' of the Seventh Letter, arguing that it is a muddle, that it is not Plato's work, and that it should have no bearing on our reconstruction of Plato's views.