In the "Euthyphro," Plato presents a dialogue between the titular character, Euthyphro, and Socrates. The two men are discussing the concept of piety, with Euthyphro attempting to define it for Socrates. Euthyphro initially suggests that piety is doing what the gods love, but Socrates challenges this definition, pointing out that it begs the question of whether the gods love certain actions because they are pious or whether certain actions are pious because the gods love them.
Socrates suggests that perhaps piety is doing what is just and good, independent of the gods' opinions. Euthyphro rejects this idea, insisting that the gods' opinions are what determine what is just and good. This leads to a further debate about the nature of the gods and their role in morality.
One of the key themes of the "Euthyphro" is the relationship between piety and morality. Euthyphro's initial definition of piety as doing what the gods love suggests that the two are closely linked, with piety being a kind of obedience to the gods. However, Socrates' questioning of this definition forces Euthyphro to consider whether piety is more about doing what is right and good in and of itself, regardless of what the gods may desire.
Another important theme in the "Euthyphro" is the nature of the gods themselves. Euthyphro's view of the gods is that they are all-powerful and all-knowing, and that they are the ultimate arbiters of what is right and wrong. Socrates, on the other hand, suggests that the gods may not be so infallible, and that their opinions may not always align with what is truly good and just.
Overall, the "Euthyphro" is a thought-provoking dialogue that explores the complex relationship between piety, morality, and the nature of the gods. It raises important questions about the role of religion in guiding our moral behavior, and encourages readers to consider the extent to which our actions should be guided by the dictates of a higher power or by our own sense of what is right and good.
Downtown Philosophy: Euthyphro
I suppose that the man whom your father murdered was Euth. Now the man who is dead was a poor dependent of mine who worked for us as a field labourer on our farm in Naxos, and one day in a fit of drunken passion he got into a quarrel with one of our domestic servants and slew him. Yes, I quite agree. The journal entries can be about anything, as long as they are inspired by, and in some way relate to, the reading material. In the end, Socrates says that he was seeking Eutyphro's opinion on what is pitey and empitey and if he told him he would admit that he was wrong and that he would change his way of life, but Eutyphro left without an asnwer.
philosophyspring: Euthyphro
And a thing is not seen because it is visible, but conversely, visible because it is seen; nor is a thing led because it is in the state of being led, or carried because it is in the state of being carried, but the converse of this. This led Socrates to continually ask more questions to receive a more clearer answer than the incomplete ones being given. S: …you think that your knowledge of the divine, and of piety and impiety, is so accurate that, when those things happened as you say, you have no fear of having acted impiously…? Socrates: And yet I know that you are as much wiser than I am, as you are younger. Response to "Euthyphro" by Plato 1. Piety, then, is that which is dear to the gods, and Soc.
Downtown Philosophy: September 2008
Upon hearing about Euthyphro's court case, Socrates proceeds to genially interogate him under the pretense of benefitting from his supposedly keen understanding of ethical matters. Socrates wants to learn the meaning of piety and impiety. Yes, my friend; the. Though there is no conclusion, what have you learned from this discussion? What I got from the end is that you have to question everything in life. Socrates: I suppose that the man whom your father murdered was one of your relatives-clearly he was; for if he had been a stranger you would never have thought of prosecuting him. Do you not agree? People do what they think God likes, and they also want many things from God. Since he sought genuine knowledge rather than a victory over his opponent, Socrates applies the same logical tricks used and developed by many of the Sophists to a new purpose, the pursuit of the truth.
tuethurphilosophy: Euthyphro
Then either we were wrong in former assertion; or, Euth. Is not that which is loved in some state either of Euth. Socrates wants to know Euthyphro's definition of of piety where Euthyphro gives five definitions in which Socrates does not except the definitions and continues to ask questions. This conversation taught me that there can be many different interpretations of what it means to be pious and impious,it all depends on one's opinion. Euthyphro: Yes, I quite agree. What benefit do the gods derive from the gifts that they receive from us? Socrates: A young man who is little known, Euthyphro; and I hardly know him: his name is Meletus, and he is of the deme of Pitthis. He does believes in the gods despite him knowing that there is ignorance; why doesn't he sees the point of the pious and impious? Nor is every one qualified to attend to dogs, but only Euth.
Euthyphro (childhealthpolicy.vumc.org): In This Dialogue, Socrates Discusses The Nature Of Piety As He Waits Outside The Courthouse For His Trial To Begin.
Im sure many other people may have even agreed with socrates or even thought differently as well but were too afraid to admit it. Likewise, when it's time for me to be judged that it be based on the truth,and not hearsay. Euthyphro By Plato 380 BC Translated by Benjamin Jowett, 1891. I think the most impacting line in this story comes from Cephalus who said "Speaking the truth and paying your debts is not the correct definitions of justice. Socrates: But they join issue about the particulars-gods and men alike; and, if they dispute at all, they dispute about some act which is called in question, and which by some is affirmed to be just, by others to be unjust. I admire Euthyphro for having the confidence to question his actions.
The Internet Classics Archive
In Socrates thoughts, they are not because gods querall. What I have learned from this discussion is that no matter how much knowledge one acquires, even in a lifetime, there is always much more to be learned. As long as we as people come to this conclusion will can possibly become wise ourselves. As for the relationship between gods and piety, piety is to gods, but gods will never going to piety, for that the gods is the greatest in number, but piety is only 1 part of it. And upon this view the same things, Euthyphro, will Euth. Some have thought this to be wrong, or "impious. No; that is the reason.
