...the dialogue when Socrates revealed to Euthyphro that he is being charged with corrupting the minds of the youth by defying the gods of their time and creating new gods. Euthyphro then reveals to Socrates that he is a master theologian of the things of gods, and he is prosecuting his father for murder. This sparked curiosity in Socrates as he sees Euthyphro as a rare person prosecuting his father in the name of religion. He then questions what piety is and what is impiety? This question takes a prominent position in the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro because Socrates always had questions about religion. Secondly, Socrates was being prosecuted for creating his own from of religion which he now questions the validity of piety and impiety. Lastly, Socrates questions Euthyphro’s thought process of him prosecuting his own father in the name of religion which led up to the prominent position between Socrates and Euthyphro. Euthyphro uses three main definitions on what are piety and impiety, and each time Socrates challenges Euthyphro’s thought process on each definition. The first definition that Euthyphro uses is based on the fact that he is prosecuting his father. Euthyphro’s argument was that everyone that does wrong should be punished no matter who does it. Euthyphro justifies his definition by using an example of how Zeus punished his own father, Cronos, in a similar fashion. Socrates says that prosecuting...
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...Socrates on Piety in Justice Towards the end of Plato’s dialogue The Euthyphro, Socrates takes the lead in a debate regarding what defines pious action and uncharacteristically gives significant insight to his own thoughts on what he believes piety to be and its relation to justice. As Socrates poses leading questions on the subject, Euthyphro attempts to reach a concrete definition of piety. At one point he comes very close to doing so, but Socrates quickly and perhaps deliberately changes the direction of the argument back towards uncertainty and confusion. As is the case with most of the Socratic Dialogues, The Euthyphro ends before an agreed conclusion is reached. Towards the end of the dialogue Euthyphro has grown weary of the debate. In an attempt to keep the conversation from losing all momentum, Socrates leads him to assert that piety is only a part of the larger set of justice (12d). This means that what is pious is necessarily just, but what is just is not necessarily pious. Afterwards, Euthyphro defines piety as the part of justice “concerned with tending to the gods, while the remaining part of the just if concerned with tending to human beings” (12e). Socrates focuses on Euthyphro’s use of the word “tend”, and uses his typical method of scrutinization to force Euthyphro into a corner. The argument follows that all tending shares the same aim of benefiting the thing being tended. Therefore, a man’s pious action would actually make the gods better. Euthyphro...
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...Euthyphro by Plato Essay Porsha Jones PHI208 February 03,2014 Megan McLaughlin Socrates is accused for corrupting the young Athenians and not believing in the Gods and is facing trial. Socrates requests that Euthyphro teach him the meaning of piety, when he finds out that Euthyphro is persecuting his father for being impious. Euthyphro gives off attributes instead of the nature of piety. Socrates refutes Euthyphro's responses and persuades him to agree on what Socrates believes. They both agree eventually on piety having to do with justice The concept of holiness emerges into the dialogue from the moment it was known that Socrates was accused for lacking holiness and misrepresenting religious doctrine, and this is why he was facing trial. Socrates ask Euthyphro for the definition of piety and it is when Euthyphro responds the second time telling Socrates that holiness is what is pleasant to the gods, that it comes into notion. Holiness is important in the dialogue not only to prove that Euthyphro was not as wise as he thought but also so Socrates could know the nature of piety and use it to justify himself and his lifestyle. With Euthyphro being a believer of the gods and Socrates not believing in the gods, Socrates criticized Euthyphro's thoughts. Socrates uses elenchos approach with Euthyphro by asking questions of others to try and lead them indirectly to the truth. He is facing trial for this reason, he was accused of...
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...Explain how the concept of holiness emerges in the dialogue and why it takes a prominent position in the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro. In the Euthyphro, the concept of holiness emerges as Socrates and Euthypho are discussing how Euthypho’s father is accused of murder. They start off my discussing if the murder was just or not. If the murder was just then Euthypho has a duty to let the matter be. If the murder was unjust then action should be taken against him. Euthypho then states that “A son is impious who prosecutes a father. Which shows, Socrates, how little they know what the gods think about piety and impiety.” (Plato, ND) After which Socrates questions what piety and impiety means. This then spurs the conversation towards their concepts of holiness. 2- Present the three definitions that Euthyphro uses in his response to Socrates, and then explain how Socrates refutes each of Euthyphro’s definitions. The first definition that Euthyphro uses is that piety is doing as he is doing, by persecuting any one that is guilty, whether it is of murder, sacrilege or anything that is similar to that. He states that impiety is not punishing those that are guilty of murder or sacrilege. Socrates feels that this is not a definition and isn’t dealt with properly. Socrates refutes this by stating those who prosecute are an example of a holy act and not a definition. He thereby urges Euthyphro to give a more general definition that can be identified as a standard that all...
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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...
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...acquaintances, and native Aristocracies. The subject of piety comes into question during the exclusive interaction that transpires between Socrates and Euthyphro during trial procession in King Archon’s Court. The beginning stages of dialogue become initiated as Socrates addresses Euthyphro to explain his interpretation of piety, where Euthyphro responds by alleging that one component of this idea involves the impeachment of sinners, regardless of acknowledging them as your father, mother, or mere acquaintance. Socrates sought to object Euthyphro’s initial statement, by deeming his assertions as insufficient for he merely identified one facet as an example of a pious act, rather than describing its all-encompassing ideals. Euthyphro then attempts to retract his previous statement by counter arguing that piety encompasses all things that are dear to the gods. Socrates sustains opposition to Euthyphro’s response, in that what the gods consider to be sacred or beloved does not reflect similar perceptive opinion from others. Inadequacies presented throughout Euthyphro’s assertions suggest that the definition Socrates is requiring shall postulate a common basis for agreement. As Socrates grants Euthyphro a third opportunity to admit his understanding of piety, he goes on to state that piety is a reflection of what the gods love and adore. Socrates appears to dispute this claim, by contending that sentiments of this nature are highly controversial and can never hold absolute justification...
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...concept of the holiness emerges and why it takes a prominent position in the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro. I will also explain the three definitions that Euthyphro uses in his response to Socrates and then present Socrates’s refutation of each of Euthyphro definitions. Also this essay will test my ability to develop my own argument as to what I think Socrates’s goal is in this dialogue. How do you know that is his goal? What features of the dialogue align his goals? I will also give own definition of piety/holiness and then take on the role of Socrates and respond to my own definition as I think he would. Plato conversation set close to the king Archon court were Socrates and Euthrophy cross words. The conversation surround Socrates trying to understand the concept of how gods see piety and impious in mankind. The debate between Socrates and Euthrophy is that Socrates wants a new form of definition for pious and impious needs to man needs to be judge by man not from god’s justice. The concept of holiness explain how to be devout religiously not the act of being love. The conversation emphasize the true meaning of piety and impiety, and important conversation between Socrates and Euthrophy took place because Socrates does not believe in tales mythology and Socrates would like a more reasonable answer to all his questions. At the end of the conversation both Socrates and Euthrypho concluded that holiness as something love by Gods because of stated of being holy ...
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...Piety The dialogue for this essay stems from two men meeting in the Kings court, as they were both awaiting trial. While waiting Socrates is astonished to learn that Euthyphro is there to bring charges against his own father for murdering one of the families’ field hands. In this essay I will give my interpretation of piety, and explain how there is no right, or wrong meaning for the term piousness. The conference between Socrates, and Euthyphro was held on the porch of King Archon, Euthyphro was surprised to see Socrates, and inquired why he was there. “Surely you cannot be concerned in a suit before the King, like myself” (Plato). Socrates explains to Euthyphro that a young bearded beaked man is prosecuting him for corrupting young Athenians. One of the accusations that Meletus is holding against Socrates is that he was a great poet, maker of Gods, which the he invented new ones, and denied the existence of the present ones. For his wrongdoing, his actions were grounds for indictment. Socrates asks again of Euthyphro why is he dwelling in the courtyard of the King. Euthyphro explains that he is there to prosecute his father for murdering one of the families’ field hands. He goes on to say that, there was a disagreement between his families’ workers. On this particular evening, the field hand was intoxicated, entered into a quarrel with the houses domestic, and attacked him. My father was fearful for the workers life and he bound his hands, and feet to a wooden plank and...
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