What was Euthyphro's conception of piety?
Euthyphro's first definition of piety is that "the pious is to do what I am doing now, to prosecute the wrongdoer" (Plato 5e). However, Socrates tries to oppose this idea because he needs to demonstrate that not all actions can be discussed as pious.
Why does Socrates question Euthyphro?
Euthyphro's 5 Definitions . Socrates says, tongue-in-cheek as usual, that he's delighted to find someone who's an expert on piet—just what he needs in his present situation. So he asks Euthyphro to explain to him what piety is. Euthyphro tries to do this five times, and each time Socrates argues that the definition is inadequate.
What do Socrates and Euthyphro agree on?
What do Socrates and euthyphro agree on? Socrates has Euthyphro agree with him that there must be one form or standard by which everything holy is holy and everything unholy, by contrast with the holy, is unholy. That is, all holy deeds must be holy by virtue of some feature or other that all holy deeds share in common.
What is the Euthyphro's dilemma?
Euthyphro's dilemma is a famous philosophical question first posited by a character, called Euthyphro, in Plato's 'socratic dialogue' on goodness. The question is as follows: is a thing good because God says it is good? Or does God say it's good because it is good? The question raises two subsequent questions that are apparently contradictory.
What is Euthyphro's fourth definition of piety?
Rather, the gods love pious actions such as helping a stranger in need, because such actions have a certain intrinsic property, the property of being pious. 4th definition: Piety is that part of justice concerned with caring for the gods.
What is Euthyphro's first explanation of what piety?
At 7a Euthyphro proposes his first definition of piety and impiety: what the gods like is pious, and what they dislike is impious. Socrates notes that the gods supposedly disagree about many things, and that there seem to be some things that are both loved and hated by the gods.
What is Euthyphro's second definition of piety and impiety?
2. Second Definition (p. 4): Piety is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not dear to them.
What is the main point of Euthyphro?
Euthyphro suggests that what is holy is what is agreeable to the gods, in response to which Socrates points out that the gods often quarrel, so what is agreeable to one might not be agreeable to all.
What is wrong with Euthyphro's first definition of the pious?
What is wrong with Euthyphro's first definition of the pious? it is not a definition, but at best a mere example. What is Euthyphro's second definition of the pious? the pious is what is dear to the gods.
What is Euthyphro's first answer to Socrates question about the nature of piety?
Socrates then wants to know if piety is a part of justice, and if it is, of what part does it consist? Euthyphro replies that piety is that part of justice that attends to the gods, just as there is another part of justice that attends to men. This, too, is unsatisfactory because we do not know what "attends" means.
How many definitions of piety are there in Euthyphro?
In this dialogue Euthyphro gives Socrates four different definitions of what he believes piety is, none of which prove satisfactory to Socrates, leaving the question unanswered in the end.
What is the third definition of piety that we find Euthyphro giving Actually it's really more of an amendment to his second definition )?
Euthyphro's third definition of piety is: "What all the gods love is pious, and what they all hate is impious." In reply, Socrates poses the question that would eventually become known in philosophy as the Euthyphro dilemma: "Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious?
What is Euthyphro's first answer to Socrates question about the nature of piety?
Euthyphro's first definition of piety is what he is doing now, that is, prosecuting his father for manslaughter (5d). Socrates rejects Euthyphro's definition, because it is not a definition of piety, and is only an example of piety, and does not provide the essential characteristic that makes pious actions pious.
How many definitions of piety are there in Euthyphro?
In this dialogue Euthyphro gives Socrates four different definitions of what he believes piety is, none of which prove satisfactory to Socrates, leaving the question unanswered in the end.
Why does Socrates ask Euthyphro what piety is?
Because he felt quite sure that the Athenian people in general did not understand the real nature of either piety or impiety, Socrates asks Euthyphro to answer the question "What is piety?" He has a real purpose in doing this, for Euthyphro, a Sophist, professes to be wise concerning such matters, while Socrates, ...
What does Socrates think piety is?
Socrates responds, “Come then, let us examine what we mean. An action or man dear to the gods is pious, but an action or a man hated by the gods is impious” (7a). Socrates and Euthyphro here agree that piety is defined in relation to the gods, specifically according to what actions they hold dear.
What did Socrates say about Euthyphro?
Socrates also says: “Then according to your argument, my good Euthyphro, different gods consider different things to be just, beautiful, ugly, good, and bad, for they would not be at odds with one another unless they differed about these subjects would they?... They like what each of them considers beautiful, good, and just, and hate that opposite of these?” (Socrates, 9). Euthyphro agrees, proving that certain things disputed by the gods would be both pious and impious due to the fact that different gods consider different things to be holy.
Why does Socrates ask Euthyphro to be holy?
Socrates asks Euthyphro “is the holy, holy because it is loved by the gods?” or “is something loved by the gods because it is holy?” Euthyphro was charging his father with murder. Not that he physically put his hands on one, but while another was awaiting the decision, his father left the man to die of starvation and lack of water. In Euthyphro’s eyes, his father was the murder of this man. The reason he is prosecuting his father is because he believes in the Gods and that no matter if someone is of kin if it is not right then it just isn’t right.
What does Euthyphro believe?
Euthyphro believes that for man to be pious to the gods he must learn to do what is pleasing to the gods. Taking care of the gods is doing service for the gods. The horse breeder takes care of his horses, the cattle raiser cares for his cattle, and the slave takes care of his master.
What is the third definition of Euthyphro?
The third definition that Euthyphro states is that “The godly and the pious is a part of the just that is the care of the gods, while that concerned with the care of men is the remaining part of justice” (Loc. cit., 12e, p. 18).
What does Euthyphro teach Socrates?
Socrates wants Euthyphro to teach him the meaning of piety since Euthyphro considers himself an authority on the subject. In this dialogue Euthyphro gives Socrates four different definitions of what he believes piety is, none of which prove satisfactory to Socrates, leaving the question unanswered in the end.
Why is Euthyphro at the courthouse?
Euthyphro is at the courthouse 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.
Who asked Euthyphro to sacrifice?
Socrates asks Euthyphro “Are they [piety and pious] a knowledge of how to sacrifice and pray” (Loc. cit., 14c, p. 20). Euthyphro “They are” (Loc. cit., 14c, p. 20). Socrates states the fourth definition “piety would then be a knowledge of how to give to and beg from, the gods” (Loc. cit., 14d, p. 20).
Who was the wise man who was considered piety?
What is Piety? Euthyphro & Socrates. During the Periclean age (around 400 B.C.) in Athens Greece, there was a man named Socrates. He was considered a very wise man by the Athenians.
Who said Euthyphro's arguments go around in a circle?
Socrates says that Euthyphro’s arguments “go around in a circle, . . . [and that] either we were wrong when we agreed before, or, if we were right then, we are wrong now. The fourth definition brings us full circle, and back to where they started leaving the question unanswered.
What is Euthyphro's piety?
1st Definition: Piety is what Euthyphro is doing now, namely prosecuting wrongdoers. Impiety is failing to do this. Socrates' Objection : That's just an example of piety, not a general definition of the concept.
What is the Euthyphro?
The Euthyphro is typical of Plato 's early dialogues: short, concerned with defining an ethical concept, and ending without a definition being agreed upon.
How many times does Socrates ask Euthyphro to explain piety?
Euthyphro's 5 Definitions. Socrates says, tongue-in-cheek as usual, that he's delighted to find someone who's an expert on piet—just what he needs in his present situation. So he asks Euthyphro to explain to him what piety is. Euthyphro tries to do this five times, and each time Socrates argues that the definition is inadequate.
What does Euthyphro say after Socrates' objection?
After Socrates shows how this is so, Euthyphro says in effect, "Oh dear, is that the time? Sorry, Socrates, I have to go."
What is Euthyphro's view of Socrates?
Euthyphro begins with the narrower sense of piety in mind. But Socrates, true to his general outlook, tends to stress the broader sense. He is less interested in correct ritual than in living morally. (Jesus' attitude toward Judaism is rather similar.)
What is the narrow sense of Euthyphro?
A broad sense: righteousness; being a good person. Euthyphro begins with the narrower sense of piety in mind.
What is Socrates' objection to Euthyphro?
Socrates' Objection : According to Euthyphro, the gods sometimes disagree among themselves about questions of justice. So some things are loved by some gods and hated by others. On this definition , these things will be both pious and impious, which makes no sense. 3rd Definition: Piety is what is loved by all the gods.
How to define piety?
2. Then specify how it is different from the other parts of that more extended notion (supply a differentia). Examples: Define “Prime”, or “Mullet”. 4. Fourth Definition (p. 10): Piety is that part of justice which attends to the gods.
What is the fifth definition of piety?
Fifth Definition (p. 11): Piety is that part of justice concerning service or ministration to the gods; it is learning how to please them in word and deed. Socrates’ reply : Again, this is vague.
What is the meaning of the word "piety"?
2. Second Definition (p. 4): Piety is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not dear to them. Socrates’ reply (p. 6): We are told that the gods disagree with one another; what is dear to one is hated by another.
What is the moral of piety?
A Moral: If we want to characterize piety (or doing right), perhaps it’s best to leave the gods out of the picture.
Who said "Don't just give me one or two examples of piety"?
Socrates’ Reply (p. 4): Don’t just give me one or two examples of piety, but rather explain the general idea which makes all pious things to be pious. I need a standard, which I can consult to determine whether an act is pious or not. A list of examples doesn’t do that.
What is the art or science by which gods and men do business with one another?
Piety is the art or science by which gods and men do business with one another.
