Socrates Definition of Piety

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Euthyphro’s Third Definition of Piety In Euthyphro, Socrates probes the question “What is Piety?” I have always understood piety to be a religious term and never fully grasped the entirety of it. Socrates and Euthyphro’s discussion leads me to believe Euthyphro is trying to justify the fact that he is prosecuting his father for murder. He arrogantly protests that he knows what is to be pious. His first declaration of what he believes piety is his actions. He is being pious because he is prosecuting the wrongdoer, regardless if it is a relative. This does not sit well with Socrates; he wants the components not an example of what piety is and Euthyphro struggles in delivery. My view is that Euthyphro’s definition of piety is flawed and misleading. I am going to begin with my first argument. My interpretation leads me to believe that Euthyphro contradicts himself. Socrates searches for a deeper understanding of what piety means and questions Euthyphro authoritative stance. Socrates questioning convinces me that Euthyphro understanding is subjective. I will give provide examples of how Socrates convinces me that Euthyphro’s multiple definitions of piety are flawed. Euthyphro’s second definition states “what is dear to the gods is pious, and what is not is impious”. Socrates argues that the gods don’t always agree, therefore something that is loved by one god may be hated by another. Euthyphro claims that all the gods would agree that a wrongdoer who committed murder should be held accountable, whereas Socrates claims that the gods might agree that the wrongdoer must be punished but disagree when it comes to who the wrongdoer is and what he did. (pg.10) My argument, which is in agreement with Socrates, that there is contradiction. Euthyphro is claiming both acts are pious and impious. How can that be if piety and impiety are different? Once

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