Euthyphro Dialogue Essay examples - 1485 Words

In the dialogue Euthyphro (Cahn and Markie), Plato presents an argument against the divine command meta-ethical theory. While the argument is presented against the predominantly pantheistic Greek religions, the argument can be easily applied to the monotheistic Abrahamic religions. The dialogue starts off with the two main characters: Euthyphro and Socrates. Socrates has been indicted for corrupting the youth of Athens and Euthyphro is indicting his father for murdering a day-labourer who killed one of his servants through neglect. Socrates acknowledges that Euthyphro must be very knowledgeable on the subjects of piety and holiness which are integral to the Greek judicial system and that by learning from Euthyphro, Socrates might better†¦show more content†¦If this were the case, the gods would not be the ultimate source of what is holy, and thus not the source of moral authority. Since this is entirely in opposition to the divine command theory of meta-ethics, this cannot be the case, which leaves Socrates and Euthyphro with the idea that objects are holy because the gods love them. It is at this point in the dialogue that Socrates turns the argument to justice. The claim is made that everything that is holy is just and everything that is just is holy; a claim with which Euthyphro again agrees. Socrates presents the following analogy: while we can be afraid of many things, and that fear can be shameful and that to be ashamed is to also be fearful, he asserts that being afraid doesn’t necessarily mean that one should ashamed of that fear – that fear is broader than shame. Socrates then applies this analogy to holiness and justice - that all things that are holy are just, but not all things that are holy are necessarily just: justice is thus broader than holiness. This suggests that there is a portion of justice that involves what is holy and another portion that is uninvolved with holiness. When asked to differentiate between these two mutually exclusive components, Euthyphro says that the component of justice that is concerned with holiness is a matter of ministering to the gods and the component that is not concerned with holiness is ministering to people. ThisShow MoreRelatedEuthyphro, A Dialogue Written By Plato1099 Words   |  5 Pages In â€Å"Euthyphro†, a dialogue written by Plato, Euthyphro is faced with a series of questions from Socrates regarding what piety is. Euthyphro’s answers continuously contradict one another, and he cannot create a definition. Euthyphro makes reference to the Gods when stating a definition, which leads to the questions, is Euthyphro a theological voluntarist? After examining the claims of Euthyphro and the definition of theological voluntarism, it will become apparent that Euthyphro is not a theologicalRead MoreAnalysis Of Plato s The Euthyphro 1723 Words   |  7 Pageswritten philosophical dialogues. Accompanied b y his teacher, Socrates and his most notorious disciple, Aristotle, Plato set the groundworks of Western philosophy and science amid dialogues such as Apology, Euthyphro, Republic and Laws. These dialogues provided some of the earliest handlings of political inquiries from a philosophical viewpoint. In the Euthyphro, Plato composes a dialogue that transpires in 399 BC, weeks before the hearing of Socrates, for which Socrates and Euthyphro try to determineRead MoreEuthyphro, By Plato The Main Idea That Comes Up Is Socratic Ignorance1494 Words   |  6 Pages3500 Chrisoula Andreou In Euthyphro, by Plato the main idea that comes up is socratic ignorance. Euthyphro argues that he is the self proclaimed expert on the subject of piety and impiety. I could argue in the position that, Euthyphro is claiming expertise in a subject that he doesn t know enough about. This socratic ignorance is the idea of the dialogue. I have decided to take an extra argument in this paper. I argue there is ignorance in both Socrates and Euthyphro. Although it s more difficultRead MoreDefining Piety in Euthyphro by Plato Essay586 Words   |  3 PagesMain question of the Dialogue The main question of this dialogue is the definition of the word holy or piety. Euthyphro brags that he is more knowledgeable than his father on matters relating to religion. In this case, Socrates suggests to Euthyphro to define that term. The first definition fails to satisfy Socrates because of its limitation in application. Apparently, Socrates perceives this definition as an example rather than a definition. Subsequent arguments and line of questioning lead to fiveRead MoreEssay on Platos Euthyphro578 Words   |  3 PagesPlatos Euthyphro One of the most interesting and influential thinkers of all time was Socrates, whose dedication to careful reasoning helped form the basis for philosophy. Socrates applied logical tricks in the search for the truth. Consequently, his willingness to call everything into question and his determination to accept nothing less than an accurate account of the nature of things made him one of the first people to apply critical philosophy. AlthoughRead More Socrates - Definitions of Piety Essay942 Words   |  4 Pagestrial Socrates met a man named Euthyphro, a professional priest who is respected by the authorities (those who want get rid of Socrates). Euthyphro is at the court house to prosecute his father for murder. Socrates finds this to be interesting. If Euthyphro can properly explain why he is prosecuting his father for murder Socrates might have an understanding of piety. This would help Socrates to defend himself, for the prosecutors know and think highly of Euthyphro. Socrates could then draw parallelsRead MoreEuthyphro, by Plato886 Words   |  4 Pagessignificant impact on humanity. Most of all, it is methodologies of attaining this knowledge that makes him so mesmerizing. This methodology is referred to as Socratic irony, in literature. In any case, I will introduce the argument that Platos Euthyphro is extremely indicative of this type of methodology, for the reason being that: Socratess portrays a sense of intellectual humility. I will begin by, imposing the distinction between Socratic irony, and the one that is more familiar. As mentionedRead MoreEuthyphro And Plato Essay1594 Words   |  7 Pages In two distinct works of Plato, he attempts to determine the good and explaining it so others can also understand it the way he does. The Euthyphro aims at determining the definition of piety through a dialogue between Euthyphro and Socrates in order to come to a clear understanding through a thought out conversation. Similarly in the Republic, Plato utilizes three specific analogies to best convey the likeness, the levels, and the journey to reaching the highest good. The sun analogy, the dividedRead MoreEuthyphro1289 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of Euthyphro Nikon121 PHI 200 Bob Harris October 15, 2012 Analysis of Euthyphro Socrates was put to death in Athens for subverting the youth of the city. He was indicted by Meletus and awaiting his trail on the porch of the King of Archon when he met Euthyphro. It was at this point he engaged in a debate about piety. In this paper, I will examine that debate and present my own conclusion about its purpose as well as my own definition of piety. HolinessRead MoreThe Divine Command theory of ethics is a theory that states that an act is right or wrong and good700 Words   |  3 Pagesfound in Plato’s dialogue Euthyphro proposes a dilemma that has since been a very controversial subject. When Socrates encounters Euthyphyo, he is on his way to trail to face charges against his own father. His father had been accused of unintentionally murdering a servant. Socrates believes that Euthyphro prosecuting his own father for killing someone is simply not right, and he asks Euthyphro to explain to him the reasoning behind it, so he can understand whether what Euthyphro is doing is a pious