E1.2 Reading Response
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Moraine Valley Community College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
140
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by Monikkaaaa
1.
What precedent does Euthyphro appeal to in order to respond to Socrates?
Euthyphro reacted to Socrates by drawing a connection between Zeus's treatment of his father and his own prosecution of his father. Euthyphro goes into great detail on how he finds it odd that people are angry with him for going after his own father while a god they revere did the same thing. This demonstrates his devout thinking, yet it is undoubtedly insufficient to convince
Socrates. It is clear how Socrates takes use of this precedent to press Euthyphro more on his deeds and convictions. Socrates: “Indeed Euthyphro, this is the reason why I am a defendant in the case,
because I find it hard to accept things like that being said about the gods, and it is
likely to be the reason why I shall be told I do wrong. Now, however, if you have full
knowledge of such things, share their opinions, then we must agree with them, too, it
would seem. For what are we to say, we who agree that we ourselves have no
knowledge of them? Tell me by the god of friendship do you really believe these
things are true?”(Page.7)
In a way, I think each person is learning from this conversation and using it as a forum for argument. Socrates is able to learn more about this subject when Euthyphro responds to his inquiries. While Euthyphron is able to critically examine the logic of this query.
2.
In what way, according to Socrates, has Euthyphro failed to answer the question?
Socrates claims that Euthyphro fails to provide him with a precise response that is either provable or unprovable. Socrates therefore keeps challenging Euthyphro's reasoning in general as
well as his responses. This dilemma is relevant to modern culture since a large number of individuals only accept things as right or bad throughout their lives..This example displayed both
impious and pious qualities. Various gods may have different perspectives rather than elucidating their characteristics. This is where these definitions become very deep, as we begin to
see how multiple definitions of the same term by different gods and people may lead to incorrect definitions.
Socrates: "So you did not answer my question you surprising man. I did not ask you what
same thing is both pious and impious, and it appears that what is loved by the gods is also hated by them. So it is no way surprising that your present action, namely punishing your father, may be pleasing to Zeus but displeasing to Cronus and Uranus, pleasing to Hephaestus but displeasing to Hera, and so with any other gods who differ from each other on this subject." (pg. 9-10)
Socrates observes that conventional myths, like the ones Euthyphro used above to justify his father's trial, muddle the concept of the pious and the impious. Certain gods approve of particular deeds while others are against them.
3.
What was the question that Socrates had in mind?
Socrates wanted to understand from Euthyphro's point of view what is right in the eyes of
the gods and what is not. He was asking this question as a way to then tell the courts that he knows how to please the gods. This situation can apply to someone today through using someone
else's point of view in order to achieve what you want.
Socrates: “We shall soon know better whether it is. Consider this: Is the pious being loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is being loved by the gods?" (Pg. 12) In other words, Socrates is implying that being pious and being god-beloved are not the same thing. Because something that is god-beloved is such because the gods love it. But anything that is pious isn't pious because the gods love it; rather, it is pious because the gods adore it. This is similar to the government and laws in today's world. People aren't going to pick certain laws because they like them, or at least they shouldn't do that, more so they will make a law that they believe is justful and will help society in its entirety. In this case, Socrates is trying to get us to understand that
4.
In your own view, and in your own words, why does Socrates think this question is important?
I think this question is important to Socrates because, as a philosopher and teacher, he is dedicated to helping others by promoting thoughtful inquiry so that his pupils may evaluate ideas
rationally. Stated differently, Socrates is using this question to help Euthyphro understand the difference between "pious" and "impious" action.
Socrates: "I want to say this, namely, that if anything is being changed or is being
affected in any way, it is not being changed because it is something changed; nor is it
being affected because it is something affected, but it is something affected because
it is being affected." (pg. 12)
This illustrates the fact that, even if something is holy because the gods approve of it, we still don't know why. It seems inevitable that any attempt to ingrain our conception of piety in the will or favor of the gods will fail. Although most people associate piety with good deeds or the will of God, Socrates seems to be suggesting that our conceptions of piety are distinct.
5. How does Euthyphro appeal to the gods in an effort to respond to Socrates’s request for him to
provide him with the form of piety?
The idea of piety is examined in the conversation between Euthyphro and Socrates via Euthyphro's developing justifications. First, Euthyphro says that piety is offering sacrifices to the
gods, saying that this is a gesture of respect rather than offering the all-powerful gods any real advantage. But Euthyphro changes his mind when Socrates asks him to distinguish between acts of piety and impiety. He uses the uniform condemnation of murder to argue that piety is doing what pleases all the gods. Euthyphro's reasoning suggests that the gods have morality and emphasizes his dedication to abiding by their moral precepts. Furthermore, by making reference to Zeus, he implies that his deeds are morally right and that piety can only be attained by imitating the qualities of the gods. Euthyphro therefore suggests a moral code based on the examples of the gods, combining morality with devotion in the quest for piety.
Euthyphro: " These people themselves believe that Zeur is the best and the most just of the gods, yet they agree that he bound his father because he unjustly swallowed his sons, and that he in turn castrated his father for similar reasons”. (pg.6-7)
We can see from this passage that Euthyphro is only acting in accordance with Zeus's image, therefore in a sense, he did nothing wrong. He has demonstrated piety since it is what the gods have demonstrated to him. 6. In your own words explain, briefly, the problem Socrates has with Euthyphro's response.
I think that Euthyphro's answer contradicts itself, which is Socrates' issue. Euthyphro responds to each new question Socrates poses with a fresh response, which Socrates analyzes and concludes is not entirely accurate. Initially, Euthyphro define piety as such, saying that his prosecution of his father for murder was a pious deed. This idea is contested by Socrates, who claims that a deed is holy if it is adored by the gods or if the gods love it because it is holy. It appears that Euthyphro's answers change, which might be seen as contradicting. The inconsistent
responses from Euthyphro worry Socrates, who is looking for a more accurate and rational definition of piety.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
7. Is Socrates more interested in getting Euthyphro to think about which actions are "pious", or is
he (Socrates) more interested in getting Euthyphro to be clear about what the Gods love? Is there
a difference between the two? Support your answer with reference to the text.
Socrates, in my opinion, is more concerned with asking Euthyphro to consider whether behaviors
qualify as "pious". Euthyphro is identified by Socrates as the teacher, although Socrates is the true instructor. Euthyphro needs this set up in order to be able to investigate and present his own arguments and identify any weakness in them. Perhaps the purpose of the dialogue's ambiguous ending is to inspire the reader to exercise independent judgment and attempt to come up with a suitable definition without Plato's help. This is demonstrated repeatedly throughout the text by Socrates,who persistently challenges Euthyphro's assertions and opinions even when they are modified. Socrates is committed to assisting others in challenging moral standards and beliefs.
Socrates: "So they do not say or do just anything. For they do not venture to say this, or dispute that they must not pay the penalty if they have done wrong, but I think they deny doing wrong. Is
that not so?”. (Pg. 10)
Socrates gently assumes control in their dialogue style by posing questions to Euthyphro, giving the idea that he is giving advice but in reality, he is pushing Euthyphro to think carefully about his answers. In this dynamic, Socrates looks for facts without necessarily trying to alter his own ideas, but rather to deepen his awareness, especially in light of his trial.
A."Socrates: Then according to your argument, my good Euthyphro, different gods consider
different things to be just, beautiful, ugly, good, and bad, for they would not be at odds
with one another unless they differed about these subjects, would they?
Euthyphro: You are right.
Socrates: And they like what each of them considers beautiful, good, and just, and hate
the opposite of these?
Euthyphro: Certainly (pg.9)
B. This line, in my opinion, is important because Euthyphro merely nods in response to every query Socrates poses. It seems that he is really uncertain about the answer, as he offers no explanation. It’s important because it raises the question of who is aware of all the correct answers and how they come to be aware of them. C. This passage makes me wonder: How does Euthyphro expect someone to always do something that pleases the gods? How any of these things can be simultaneously detested and
adored by God is beyond me. No matter how many questions Socrates poses, Euthyphro never seems to elaborate on his response hee merely seems to agree.