 What about the effects of inspired poetry? Could such poetry turn a soul toward knowledge as beautiful faces do? Would it always do so? Poetry’s defenders will find scant support for that proposal in the dialogues. Inspired poetry has its merits but Plato rarely credits it with promoting philosophical knowledge. In fact the Ion conceives inspiration as the cause of the worst cognitive state, for the poet’s possession by the Muses is what attaches the audience (irrationally, particularly-minded) to that one poet. The Phaedrus does say that Muse-made poems teach future generations about the exploits of heroes. Inspired poetry at least might set a good example. But one can find good examples in verse without waiting for inspiration. Even Republic 3 allows for instances in which the young guardians imitate virtuous characters. The educational consequences of inspired poetry do not set it apart from imitative poetry, and they never include philosophical education.