PHILOS 25A Lecture 6: PHILOS 25A Lecture 6-7 (Euthyphro) (September 12 & 15, 2014).docx
Document Summary
Socrates in euthyphro: ethics, elenchus, and paradox: background, socrates lived from 470-399 bce, claimed that he knew nothing. Socrates" other followers, but they are the most philosophically sophisticated: socrates wanted to examine the arguments and views of those he talked to. Socratic dialogues are characterized by socrates" repeated questioning and challenging of one"s established view, which often displeases the person socrates is speaking to. Elenchus is the testing and refuting of arguments: socrates is sometimes considered the founder of ethics. Pragmatic context: euthyphro and socrates accidentally meet at the king archon"s court, where socrates is to be notified of his indictment by meletus. Euthyphro is there to prosecute his own father: socrates questions why euthyphro is prosecuting his father. Euthyphro replies that punishing wrongdoers transcends family relations. It is ridiculous, socrates, for you to think that it makes any difference whether the victim is a stranger or a relative.
