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Euthyphro - Plato

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In the Euthyphro, Socrates and Euthyphro discuss the concept of piety/holiness.

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In 750-950 words original only please help me with the following questions.

1. Explain how the concept of holiness emerges in the dialogue and why it takes a prominent position in the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro.
2. Present the three definitions that Euthyphro uses in his response to Socrates, and then explain how Socrates refutes each of Euthyphro's definitions.
3. Formulate your own argument as to what you think Socrates's goal is in this dialogue. How do you know that is his goal?
4. What features of the dialogue align with your interpretation of his goal?
5. Provide your own definition of piety/holiness and then create a Socratic response/critique of your definition.
6. After you present your definition, take on the role of Socrates and respond to your own definition as you think he would.

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Solution Summary

The expert discusses the concepts of piety/holiness.

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Classic Plato Q & A: The Euthyphro Dilemma

1. Explain how the concept of holiness emerges in the dialogue and why it takes a prominent position in the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro.

Euthyphro is one of Socrates' earliest dialogues as written by Plato. In this particular dialogue Socrates is having a debate with Euthyphro, a religious expert in Athens at the time. The subject of talk is about Piety or the concept of holiness. The concept emerges as such - Socrates meets Euthyphro outside the Athenian courthouse and flatters Euthyphro because the latter was in the courts to prosecute his own father who is accused of unintentionally killing a violent and murderous hired hand of the family. He flatted Euthyphro by saying the Euthyphro must know all that there eyes to know about religion if he was given such a task and if he is indeed such an expert, Socrates wishes to learn from him. This begins the talk with regards to piety or holiness in the dialogue as immediately, Euthyphro falls into the Socratic trap.

2. Present the three definitions that Euthyphro uses in his response to Socrates, and then explain how Socrates refutes each of Euthyphro's definitions.

1) Piety or Holiness is the persecution of the criminals and sinners and religious offenders. The opposite therefore of not persecuting or punishing them, inspite of their crime is unholy. This is Euthyphro's first definition. Socrates however believed that this is flawed because ...

Solution provided by:
Xenia Rochelle Jones, MA, PhD (IP)
Education
  • MPhil/PhD (IP), Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
  • Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
  • BA, University of the Philippines
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