Similarities Between Euthyphro And Socrates

Dr. Key

History of Philosophy Euthyphro is Plato’s account of a conversation held at the entrance of the king-archon’s court between Socrates and Euthyphro. The conversation begins subtle as both Socrates and Euthyphro explain the reasons for why they are present at the courtroom. Socrates explains that he is present to defend himself from an accusation, specifically, corrupting the youth. To Socrates’ surprise, Euthyphro is there with the intention to prosecute his father for murder (2a). As an interpreter of religion who claims to be pious, Euthyphro justifies the morality of his decision claiming that the guilty must be prosecuted for justice to be obtained, despite their relation to the prosecutor. For Euthyphro, neglecting this civil duty would be unholy (4c). Displaying curiosity for the subject of piety, Socrates asks Euthyphro how to define holiness. Essentially, Euthyphro states, “the holy is what I am doing now” (5d). Socrates responds by reminding Euthyphro that he wanted to know what the essential form of holiness was, not simply attributes of it. Euthyphro provides another perspective of the holy, saying that

Yet again, Euthyphro provides another definition, assuming that holiness is a component of justice “that has to do with the service of the gods” (12e). Nonetheless, Socrates points out how this answer also possesses a flaw for it assumes that the gods need and benefit from the service of humans. Euthyphro then responds by defining impiety, claiming that it is the opposite of what is pleasing to the gods and is such “that upsets all an ruins everything” (14b). Showing dissatisfaction for this answer, Socrates critisizes Euthyphro for being unable to answer the orginal question of the essential form of holiness. However, he continues to seek a sufficient answer, but Euthyphro is unwilling to spend any more time discussing the issue