The Euthyphro is a dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro in search of the platonic
form
(a representative model) of piety. Euthyphro’s puts forth a series of definitions attempting
to
capture the entity of piety. These arguments, listed below, mature during the conversation
in
response to Socrates’ insatiable criticism.
● Prosecution Argument: To be pious is to arraign those who act unjustly, regardless of
personal kinships. Socrates chasing the essence of piety, points out that there exists
pious actions which this definition fails to grasp.
● God-loved: Secondly, Euthyphro claims that piety is what’s dear to the gods.
Subsequently in acknowledging the contradicting views of different gods on good and
bad, he restricts the pious to actions loved by all gods. However, the gods love the pious
because it is pious, but it is not pious because the gods love it.
● God-caring Justice: Piety is the subset of justice concerned with caring for the gods. This
care does not aims at a benefit (like horse breeding for horses), nor does it enable the
gods to reach an end (like a general winning a war). And yet, if this service is solely to
please the gods, it is a restatement of the second definition.
The Discussion comes to an end when the last argument fails to evolve. Finding the first
and second definition inadequate, and the third repetitive, Socrates remains unconvinced.
In