...An Analysis of Euthyphro – Plato It is believed that the theological discussion between Socrates and Euthyphro is one of the most famous Socratic discussions. The discussion is focused on what is piety or holiness asked by Socrates. Socrates engages Euthyphro to help him understand what piety is as he admits he does not know, in order to help with his case against him. Socrates attempts to grasp an understanding of this elusive concept and uses logic to understand what holiness is as provided by Euthyphro who, in his mind, is acting pious. The concept of holiness in the dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro emerges while both men are waiting on the porch of the King Archon where Socrates has been called to court on charges of impiety by Meletus Euthyphro has come to prosecute his own father for having unintentionally killed a murderous hired hand. Socrates flatters Euthyphro, suggesting that Euthyphro must be a great expert in religious matters if he is willing to prosecute his own father on so questionable a charge. Euthyphro concurs that he does indeed know all there is to be known about what is holy. Socrates urges Euthyphro to instruct him and to teach him what holiness is, since Euthyphro's teaching might help Socrates in his trial against Meletus. First, Euthyphro suggests that holiness is persecuting religious offenders. Socrates finds this definition unsatisfying, since there are many holy deeds aside from that of persecuting offenders...
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...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...
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...Socrates Search for the Meaning of Piety Despite that there are a significant amount of atheists, religions and cultures throughout the world, piety is still relevant to today’s society. But what does it really mean? Euthyphro is a strong believer that he contains the divine knowledge of what the God’s deliberate to be pious. Euthyphro provided numerous definitions to Socrates throughout the dialogue, none of which seemed to satisfy Socrates. I will analyze the transitions and the circular pattern of conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro, where they are attempting to make a reasonable definition of the term “piety” and try to articulate what it really means. In order to define piety, it is necessary to understand what role the gods played in Athens’ society during Socrates and Euthyphro’s existence. All of society’s wrong doers were seen as insulting the gods. It was considered to be ungodly to do things like hurting your own families or city because these things were considered to be sacred by the gods. This led the wrong doers to be indicted for the sake of the gods. Many of these aspects of piety were unknown to Socrates, which is why he seeks the divine knowledge of Euthyphro. Socrates believes that if he is able to explain to the courts that he has learned the true meaning of piety that his charges may get dismissed. Euthyphro’s first definition of piety that he presented to Socrates referred to Euthyphro prosecuting his father for manslaughter. Euthyphro...
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...Dictionary of Education describes the Socratic method as "a process of discussion led by the instructor to induce the learner to question the validity of his reasoning or to reach a sound conclusion." The strategy derives its name from the approach used by Socrates as he assumed the role of intellectual midwife. The Socratic approach was built upon the assumption that knowledge was within the learner and proper questioning and commentary could cause this knowledge to surface. Socrates, as instructor, attempted to follow the student's argument wherever it led. The key to the Socratic approach is that the teacher's comments and questions must enable the learners to discover meaning for themselves. In a typical classroom situation, the instructor would use the Socratic approach when the situation arose. It would be necessary for a learner to make a statement, often of a value nature which could be further pursued. The instructor would then enter into a dialogue with the learner, following the argument until the learner had thoroughly questioned the answer and gained some insight into the logic used or the attitudes and beliefs held. Example An example seems almost imperative to further explain the Socratic strategy .The following dialogue finds Socrates awaiting his own trial for impiety (irreverent). He is seeking knowledge concerning piety from Euthyphro, who is supposedly knowledgeable of such matters. Socrates: I know that, dear friend; and that is the reason why I desire to be...
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...During his discussion with Socrates, Euthyphro agrees with much of Socrates reasoning regarding the property of the pious acts and the God-Loved acts. One of these many concessions is that “the Gods love the pious act because it is pious”. This concession ultimately leads to Socrates defeating Euthyphro’s claim. Therefore, Euthyphro should have answered slightly different than just a defeated “yes”. Instead of agreeing to Socrates claims between the god loved acts and the acts that God loves, Euthyphro should have questioned Socrates into the real reason that the causes a God loved act. Socrates argument is that Euthyphro’s claim that a pious act is loved by the gods is not possible. The way in which he does that is by a simple manipulating of language and reason. Socrates introduces the idea of a characteristic on an object depending on the action of another. This is the idea that when a thing is being...
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...Euthyphro and Socrates meet to discuss the nature of piety and impiety. Through Socratic examination, Socrates challenges Euthyphro’s religious beliefs through questioning the underlying presumptions which constituent the fundamental belief of what is a right and wrong decision for Euthyphro and his religious followers. In this series of discussion, Euthyphro concludes with a variation of answers which differs from his previous conclusion. The first assumption that Euthyphro claims is that piety is to prosecute those who are unjust, also known as the impious, against the will of the righteous gods. Socrates rejects this definition, in which he states that here must be something, a standard of some sort that makes each impious act deemed to...
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...Plato Paper: Prompt #2 11/3/14 Why does Plato write dialogues? How does that genre fit with and promote his philosophy? Use Examined life to help promote this concept that Plato embodies. ! From what method of teaching can a learner take away a meaningful interpretation of the lesson taught? Upon determining the answer to this question, one might discern between more and less helpful ways to learn. The old Native American saying goes, “Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand”(Inspirational Quotes). This exact idea is embodied by Plato and also by some of the philosophers in The Examined Life. Plato provides examples of stories to help one wrap their brain around a concept due to their own involvement in the learning. The brilliant Plato methodically sends an equally striking and concise impression-making message to both his readers and interlocutors. Unlike Aristotle, who lays down the law of philosophy in absolute non-negotiable terms, Plato paints a sufficiently big picture for the reader in terms of philosophical conclusion through narrative dialogues and allegories in his writings. Plato does this by granting the interlocutor a paintbrush in drawing the “big picture” so that the appropriate details can be sketched in as needed and refutations are made possible in order to distinguish between what is and what is not relevant. This process gives the readers, as well as the interlocutors, a feeling of overall ...
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...Plato, Euthyphro 1. What charges is Euthyphro bringing against his father? Euthyphro is charging is father with murder. Does it seem to you like Euthyphro has a reasonable case? Explain No because Euthyphro did not know the meaning from piety to impiety, he did not really have a statement to charge his farther with murder... 2. Pay attention to tone. How would you describe Socrates’ tone in the first part of this dialogue? You may need to come back to this one after you have read the whole thing. Socrates tone of voice started passive but then it started getting heavy after he found out that Euthyphro did know he was talking about. 3. What are the four definitions of piety/holiness that Euthyphro tries to give to Socrates? (Some interpreters say there are five, what do YOU think?) Euthyphro states that the following means Piety- prosecuting anyone who is guilty of murder, sacrilege, or of any similar crime. Then he goes on by saying that God love is pious and holy, and the opposite, which they all hate, impious. I think the fifth definition Euthyphro states is that piety is what is dear to the gods and impiety is that which is not dear to gods... 4. How does Socrates respond to each of these answers? Socrates stated all the gods hate is impious, and what they love pious or holy; and what some of them love and others hate is both or neither he was trying to say does not mean that is the definition of piety and impiety. Socrates you knew there was a difference between words...
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...In Plato’s Apology Socrates is being tried by Anytus and Meletus for two new charges: “corrupting the young, and not acknowledging the gods of the city acknowledges, but new daimonic activities instead” (Morgan 2005, 51). Throughout Plato’s Apology and Euthyphro Socrates uses complex rhetoric to challenge the charges brought against him based on his thoughts and understanding of what is right and wrong. He never once states he is not guilty nor does he provide reasons to support his innocence. He suggests rather that he is on a divine mission stating “this is what the god orders me to do, and I think there is no greater blessing for the city than my service to the god” (Morgan 2005, 55). Socrates uses his trial as an opportunity to show inconsistencies in the charges themselves, through questioning his accusers. Socrates remains true to him-self, a philosopher, and finds fulfillment out of the process rather than the outcome “…for the unexamined life is not worth living for men…” (Morgan 2005, 60) Socrates should be found guilty as his intentions to continue to practice the life of a philosopher may not have been morally wrong, his methods however unlawful during Athenian times. Socrates was not a member of a modern day society where innovative thought was encouraged, and freedom of speech tolerated. He chose to be a member of Athenian society therefore needed to conform to the requirements set out by the city. Suggesting other God’s and questioning the Gods of the city do not...
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...Anonymous Understanding Philosophy and its Benefits 1 Many of Plato’s dialogues such as the Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo are based upon the same reoccurring theme, the defense of the study of philosophy. Plato’s dialogues notable for their depth in a relatively narrow framework, attempt to argue the benefits of philosophical reasoning through essence, knowledge and truth. To understand the benefits of philosophy one must pose the question, what is philosophy? Ironically, philosophy in itself is a reflexive question. It is this bidirectional theory that makes philosophy so profoundly intellectual. It becomes reason as to why trying to find out what philosophy actually is inevitably becomes a way of not only studying philosophy but doing philosophy. By textbook definition, philosophy is the attempt to use reason and logic to answer fundamental questions about knowledge, life, morality and human nature. This definition represents a vexing philosophical issue, how can we attempt to answer these questions in a definite manner? Well, in retrospect Philosophy pursues questions rather than answers. Plato uses dialogue to aide clarity and understanding to those ideas and questions that fall outside of the “scientific domain”. After reading Plato’s dialogues, one can note that, Socrates never comes to any definite conclusion to any of the questions he poses. For example, in the Euthyphro, we are never fully able to determine a definition of piety and justice, but we do become...
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...Command. The Divine Command Theory states that the question of what is morally right is a matter of being commanded by God and morally wrong is a matter of being forbidden by God. This is basically saying when ethics and morality comes into question, following Gods commands is the only way of being right. Inquiring that God is all knowing which consists of possessing wisdom beyond any other, people believe God is never wrong. There is also the notion that God is the creator of all human beings and the world was created in his image; therefore all the rules set by our creator seems to be the only rules that make absolute sense. In religious views, God created women for men, going back to the idea of Adam and Eve. When looking at homosexuality, it isn’t wrong for the disturbing views or the argument that it is against procreation, it is solely wrong because God himself said it is wrong. If a believer in the Divine Command Theory, you would understand that what God commands is ultimately right both morally and ethically. Plato makes his argument against the idea that right and wrong actions are commanded by gods. The theory of divine command morality says that good and bad are decided by the gods, not by humans. Plato illustrates his argument through a discussion between Socrates and another man named Euthyphro; Socrates tries to prove that divine command morality is not logical and cannot possibly be true. Euthyphro is asked by Socrates whether the good is...
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...Anthony Charpentier Due Date: 10/7/14 PHI 307 – Ancient Philosophy First Essay Assignment Xenophanes, Socrates, Plato on the possibility of knowledge Skepticism – A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something. In ordinary skepticism this would mean someone who would doubt the existence of something. A difference between the two is normal skepticism is you try to get it clear in your head. Ordinary doubt - or local skepticism - can usually be tested - and even when it can't, there may well come a time when it can. Many philosophers have had their own version and interpretation of skepticism. Skeptics only denies we have knowledge but does not deny our belief or opinion. Most of which our true belief is just luck and lucky guesses are not knowledge. An example of this can be found in a reading from Humes which he explained that he does not perceive anything else besides his perceptions such as immaterial substance. From different philosophers and readings we can understand there are many different meanings and interpretations of skepticism. According to Philonous presents an argument against Hylas stating that only ideas are perceived, nothing else and thus that we are aware only of the mind. Philonous proceeds to use the same arguments as John Locke to prove things are independent of the mind. Philonous uses a similar example to that of John Locke in which he states, “suppose now one of your hands hot, and the other cold, and that they are both at once put...
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...among intellectuals of the world today who have become so secularized, a sense where the existence of God or the supernatural would not matter as much as it would have a century ago. He presents a logic as to why he does not Plato, on the other hand, presents his reasoning for believing in God and/or the supernatural through Socrates discussion with a religious fanatic shortly before his trial in the "Euthyphro." Euthyphro is a young, zealously pious man determined to bring a lawsuit against his own father over the death of one of their servants. When Socrates questions the propriety of proceeding against one's father, rebukes him, asserting that the only relevant question is whether the killer has acted justly. concedes that most people will regard prosecution of one's father on behalf of a hired hand as the height of impiety, but he insists that he understands the will of the gods more plainly and precisely than most. This is the presumption that Socrates questions in the dialogue, and defeats. That same presumption that one person knows more about the will of the gods is an issue that must be examined in the larger question of whether faith in God is a matter of faith based on reason or on reason alone. One can only determine one's own level of faith based on the reason that most coincides with his or her own belief of what reason is and what reason is not. Therefore, the acceptance or the adherence of...
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...The teachings of Socrates successfully shaped Ancient Greece into an advanced civilisation. To what extent is this statement correct? In 469BC, one of the most important philosophical influences in the Ancient Greek civilisation was born. Socrates’ teachings would continue to heavily impact on philosophical thought throughout the ages. Socrates began as a stonemason, but quickly made the change to a life pursuing the answers to all moral problems with emphasis on the right conduct by which one should live their life. His teachings attracted groups of young men who adopted his methodologies and became fascinated with the ideas he presented, which although popular with some, were often in conflict with the politicians in Athens at the time. Socrates lived through one of Athens’ most advanced eras and he saw firsthand the rise of the Athenian Empire. He often passed judgment and was highly opinionated on many issues which were putting Athens on the map, including democracy. He also promoted honesty and virtue as key contributors to a happy life. Socrates was one of only a few philosophers to be recognised for his work in his lifetime and this indicates that he must have been significant in some capacity. However, Athens was an ever-expanding empire, which meant that their culture was heavily impacted on by not just Greek people on the inside but also by the countries that they conquered and the foreigners who came to Athens as slaves or traders. These outside influences...
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...argue a topic by asking questions of each other. Why do you think Plato choose this form of writing (dialogue)? These may be the possible reasons: 1. This form allows Plato to raise various points of view and let the reader decide which is valid. 2. The use of character and conversation allowed Plato to awaken the interest of his readers and therefore to reach a wider audience. 3. The dialogue form allows Plato's evident interest in pedagogical questions (how is it possible to learn? what is the best way to learn? from what sort of person can we learn? what sort of person is in a position to learn?) to be pursued not only in the content of his compositions but also in their form. 4. Plato evidently enjoys creating a sense of puzzlement among his readers, and the dialogue form is uniquely suited to this goal. CHRONOLOGY The exact order in which Plato's dialogues were written is not known, nor is the extent to which some might have been later revised and rewritten. However, there is enough information internal to the dialogues to form a rough chronology. The dialogues are normally grouped into three fairly distinct periods, with a few of them considered transitional works. The generally agreed upon modern ordering is as follows: early, middle, and late dialogues. Early Dialogues In these dialogues, Socrates is the central character, and is believed to be expressing his own views. These are the only remaining record of Socrates' teachings; hence these...
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