Plato's Euthyphro

A detailed Summary of Plato's Euthyphro

Euthyphro

Plato's Euthyphro is an obscure dialogue conversation that attempts to unveil an ideal meaning or definition of piety (holiness). The purpose of this paper as a whole is to analyze shifts or transitions, as to where definitions of piety are being made. Furthermore, it will attempt to capture the circular pattern of their conversation while attempting to define piety. Each attempt to define the meaning is captured in a series of succinct definitions set out by Euthyphro and rejected by Plato. This paper will dissect numerous definitions and give reason why Plato rejects them.

It is essential to understand the role of the gods to establish the definition of piety. All those in Athenian society during Plato's existence, and well, who did wrong, did wrong against the gods. Therefore, all wrong doers are prosecuted for the sake of the gods . It was seen that these wrong doers did commit a wrong that was ungodly. On the other hand, it was unknown to Plato what exactly godliness and ungodliness where. Plato seeks the divine knowledge of Euthyphro to set him free from his prosecutor.

According to Euthyphro, Definition One of piety "is to prosecute the wrong doer." His definit

As the conversation continues and it seems there is a collaboration of thoughts and ideas on behalf of both men to develop Definition Four. Plato states "that piety would be knowledge of how to give to, and beg from, the gods" [14d]. This final definition clearly indicates that piety is something that the gods receive from man. The offerings of thankfulness and outward respect to them are things which Euthyphro believes are dear to the gods. Thus, making what is dear to the gods pious.

The dialogue shifts where for argument's sake an unjust act is hated by all the gods. Thus, what all the gods hate is considered to be impious and what they love is considered to be pious. Therefore, Definition Three "pious is what all the gods love, and the opposite, what all the gods hate, is the impious" [9e]. This definition might be indicating that there are certain things among all the gods that they agree upon among their differences. According to Euthyphro, that entity is being loved by the gods because it is pious. It is not pious because it is God loved. Definition Three is also rejected by Plato on the basis of a contradiction. Plato states "the pious has the quality of being loved by all the gods"[11b].

The definition of what pious and impious was never answered. Plato never receives the knowledge of the divine and must confront his prosecutor with ignorance.

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Approximate Word count = 937
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English