Th is article off ers some insights in the strategies displayed by Plato in some dialogues in order to defi ne philosophy, the range of its authoritative infl uence, impact and embodiment in cultural life. I will be giving a particular look on the way Plato exploits the ritual integration and cultural authoritativeness of the μουσικὴ τέχνη, in order to promote and install philosophy as the best and fi rst regulation's principle of human collective, social and political life. Indeed, Plato chose two cultural and artistic entities that he considered as problematic, music and tragedy, in order to help the defi nition of philosophy or of philosophical political projects. Th is, however, is not possible without renewing or subverting the traditional relation of these entities to the rituals or festive institutions they were linked to.