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Phi Euthyphro

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Phi Euthyphro
Running head: Euthyphro – Plato

Euthyphro – Plato

Angela Levesque

PHI 208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning

Instructor: Victor Kersey
04/28/2013

Euthyphro-Plato

Socrates and Euthyphro is one of the most famous of Socrates theological discussions. Plato wrote a book called Euthyphro which explains in the introduction of the purposes and reasoning behind this discussion. In this paper, I will be looking at the dialectical development of the idea of piety; the antithesis of true and false religion, which is carried to a certain extent only; the defiance of Socrates.(Plato) This discussion wraps around the reason Socrates is on trial and his standing on piety in which he wishes not to follow. When speaking to Euthyphro, Socrates uses this moment to help himself understand what the meaning of piety is to himself and emits to Euthyphro that he does not know. Socrates during this conversation with Euthyphro works to grasp the full understaind of this elusive concept and tries with everything he knows to use logic to understand what the meaning of holiness is, where is came from, and why it has benefits. This paper I will try to explain the concept of holiness as it emerges and identify the three different definitions of piety that Euthyphro uses to help get Socrates to understand. In addition this paper will point out what Socrates goal for this discussion was and also create an argument of my definition of holiness.

Why the Discussion

While both men were waiting on the porch of the King Archon for their individual trials, Socrates and Euthyphro discuss the concept of holiness. The trials of these two men hold that of different merit, Socrates is being charged for corrupting the youth of Athens by sharing with them some of this ideals. While Euthyphro is going to trial not because he has done anything wrong but because he is accusing his father of murder for allowing a



References: Plato (1999). Euthyphro: Subtitle (Translator Benjamin Jowett Trans.). Gutenberg project. (380 B.C.E).

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