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Euthyphro-Plato

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Euthyphro’s well-known impasse pertaining to the characteristic of piety is one of the many dialogues written by the Greek philosopher Plato detailing the pursuit for wisdom by his mentor, Socrates. This well-known impasse regarding the nature of piety presents the question of whether or not piety is an act or thing loved by the gods? Regardless if an act is considered right or wrong, the truth or a lie, just or unjust, and holy or unholy, all are the basis of contentious debates difficult within society. Finding common ground within these oppositions can be challenging because of the diversity of cultural, religious, and moral values, and beliefs in society. Such is the situation with Socrates and Euthyphro. Plato’s Euthyphro is a discussion that takes place in the Athens courtyard prior to Socrates trial. Socrates faces charges in Athens with impeity for corrupting the youth, and falsifying new Gods. Euthyphro is appearing in court involving prosecution of a case against his own father for impiety. His father permitted a worker, responsible for allowing the death of a slave, restrained in a ditch, by command of Euthyprho’s father who had sent a messenger to ask a priest what to do with him. Before the messenger could return, the prisoner died from hunger and exposure. Socrates is not convinced that Euthyphro is doing the pious thing by prosecuting his father for murder. He urges Euthyphro to teach him about holiness, so he can make his own decision if Euthyphro’s actions against his father are moral. The two men continue to have an in-depth discussion in which Euthyphro tries to validate prosecuting his father by presenting Socrates various definitions of piety. Euthyphro gives Socrates his first definition of what piety is. He says that prosecuting those guilty of committing crimes is holy, and by not doing so, it is impious. Even though Socrates agrees that

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