In the Euthyphro, Socrates questions Euthyphro’s definition of piety. Socrates asks if the pious is loved because it is holy or is it holy because it is loved. In this paper I will explain the differences between these distinctions by analyzing the meaning of both parts of his statement. In doing so I will clarify his statement so we can see and understand the distinctions more clearly. First we must understand the difference from being loved and being beloved. The analogies that Socrates presents…
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in their essence. In Plato’s Euthyphro, Socrates and Euthyphro contemplate the objective meaning of piety. Many arguments are presented to attempt to address the essence of piety, and in doing so a fundamental problem between arises. That is, if it is possible to have an objective definition of any concept or object. In this essay we will analyze Euthyphro’s definition of piety, and also investigate the contradiction, which arises regarding the subjectivity of piety. The dialogue is set outside King…
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Running Head: Euthyphro 1 Euthyphro Eneasha Ackles PHI208: Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor Craig Thompson September 30, 2013 Running Head: Euthyphro 2 Euthyphro Euthyphro, is a quest for wisdom and the definition of holiness/piety. The dialogue Euthyphro was written by Socrates' protege Plato during the weeks leading up Socrates' trial in which he was accused of corrupting the youth in Athens. It features Socrates and religious expert…
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Piety? There is no exact definition of piety in Euthyphro. Socrates begins a conversation with Euthyphro, an “expert” in religion, in hope of seeking a definition of piety before an indictment. Euthyphro gives Socrates four definitions of piety, but none seem to satisfy Socrates, leaving the question unanswered and without a good definition. As the dialogue begins, Euthyphro is about to prosecute his father for murdering a murderer. On the other hand Socrates is also about to be prosecuted and…
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When Socrates asks, “what is piety” to Euthyphro, he is asking what makes pious actions pious (6,d). First, the conversation begins because of Socrates’ surprise over Euthyphro’s plan to prosecute his father for murder (3,b). However, Euthyphro believes that being pious means to act justly and being impious means to act unjustly and it does not matter who the person is that is being punished for the action (4,b). However, Socrates considers if different Gods could hold different opinions than other…
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Euthyphro is a philosophical talk that Socrates has with a young man named Euthyphro, who is taking his father to court for allowing one of the laborers to die. Socrates questions Euthyphro about the person that was killed to see whether they were a relative of the family, or not (4b). Euthyphro is a religious man, and his father did allow a person to die. To Uethyphro it does not matter if the deceased is family or stranger. His father left the laborer, whom just murdered one of the family servants…
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Plato’s “Euthyphro,” we come across two main characters, Socrates and Euthyphro. Socrates permits us to survey the ways in which decisions are formed for what purpose. Socrates and Euthyphro are discussing Euthyphro and why he is bringing his father to court to prosecute him for murder. They were talking about if the murder was just or unjust. Euthyphro is prosecuting his father, because he feels like it is pious to do so; however Socrates challenges us both the reader and Euthyphro to examine…
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Euthyphro, one of Plato’s dialogues, examines in depth the definition of piety and what makes an action pious. This question becomes the focal point of a lengthy discussion between Euthyphro and Socrates. Socrates takes on the role of a student with the hope of learning from the wise Euthyphro so that he can challenge Meletos regarding his indictment. What could be a very concise and brief conversation evolves into a circular philosophical exchange that leaves both Socrates and the reader with an…
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Pam Morrow Philosophy 1301.100 March 18, 2011 What is Piety? Life in ancient Greece was unique in itself. The whole of the city revolved around the Gods. The primary belief of the people of ancient Greece was individuals who had the right to be free, a democracy, as long as they abided in the laws of Greece. In other words, do what the Gods do. Religion in ancient Greece did not occur in a church or in a belief, but as part of a democratic government. To go against the Gods of Athens…
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Euthyphro is a dialogue about definitions, whose events take place few weeks before the trial of Socrates around 399 BCE. During this Socrates and Euthyphro tries to find a definitive meaning for the word holiness (or Piety). The argument of the Euthyphro is to offer a proper definition of piety. This is a result of the fact that Euthyphro wants to answer Socrates’ question of “what is piety?” Socrates is simply looking for a universal describer: what do pious things have in common that can be used…
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