- Published: September 27, 2022
- Updated: September 27, 2022
- Level: Intermediate School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 38
of Summary of Plato’s Euthyphro The central discussion focuses on the debate regarding the definition of piety and impiety. Here, Socrates asks Euthyphro to define for him the meaning of piety and impiety. Euthyphro’s first response: “ Piety is doing as I am doing”, which was prosecuting his father who is guilty of murder; so impiety then is to do otherwise. Unsatisfied with this definition, Socrates claimed that it could hardly suffice as a definition of piety. So Euthyphro gives his second response, which states that piety is what is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not. However, Socrates’ problem with this definition is: what if the gods disagree among themselves? Some gods may agree that my act is pious and some may claim it as impious. My act cannot be both pious and impious for that would lead to a contradiction. So Euthyphro gave his third response: what all the gods love is pious and holy, and what they hate is impious. However, Socrates asks, “ is the pious or holy beloved by the gods because it is holy, or holy because it is beloved of the gods?” Euthyphro answers, that: Piety or holiness is that part of justice, which belongs to the gods alone. Socrates was still unsatisfied with this response so Euthyphro goes on by elucidating his point further. Herein, Euthyphro claims that piety or holiness is learning how to please the gods through ones words and actions, such as when one does gives prayers and sacrifices. However, Socrates thinks that Euthyphro’s answer leads him back to where they started, and so Socrates begins again by asking him what piety really meant. However, Euthyphro had to leave and so the discussion ended.