Development of Philosophy
Prof. Urquidez
Philosophy (Reading Assignment 1: Plato’s Euthyphro)
Due:
Thursday, September 10, 2015
• What does Socrates want from Euthyphro? That is, what does he expect to gain from their conversation? Briefly explain in your own words. (2-3 sentences)
Socrates has sought out Euthyphro for his assistance to defend him in court and take him under as his pupil. That is, he expected to gain a better understanding of the gods and the true meaning of piety and pious acts.
• Read Plato’s Euthyphro, 9c-12e. Identify and state three of Euthyphro’s definitions of ‘piety.’ Quote them exactly as written and cite the page number/reference in parentheses.
1. “One should only watch whether the killer acted justly or not; If he acted justly, let him go, but if not, one should prosecute…..”(pg.21)
2. “To prosecute the wrongdoer, be it about murder or temple robbery or anything else, whether the wrongdoer is your father or your mother or anyone else; not to prosecute is impious.”(pg.22)
3. “What is dear to the Gods is pious, what is not is, is impious.”(pg.22)
• In your own words, write out Socrates’ criticism for two of the three definitions. (1-2 sentences for each criticism)
1. Socrates criticizes the …show more content…
Furthermore, he wishes to know why is it that the gods may see it wrong to prosecute one’s own father when they cast out their own, in other words why is that the gods contradict themselves and punish mortals for the same actions that they have taken. He argues that the gods dispute over which they consider to be good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. He then asks Euthyphro that could it be that although the gods do not “dispute that the wrongdoer be punished but could it be that they disagree on who the wrongdoer is?” (p.23) As the gods sometimes may agree with the actions being taken, they may disagree as to who the punishment should be placed