PHIL100 Study Guide - Final Guide: Socratic Method, Socratic Dialogue, Differentia
Document Summary
You can"t use examples to decide the piety or impiety in other cases. E lists some examples, such as his own actions and temple theft as being impious. Socrates rejects this definition for two reasons: Socrates is on his way to the religious courts to answer charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. Euthyphro is at the religious court bringing charges against his father for the murder of his servant. Euthyphro"s conundrum is that he is prosecuting his father for a religious offence (murder entailed pollution and required ritual cleansing), yet in taking such action against his father he is also considered to be impious. In talking to socrates, euthyphro says he has esoteric knowledge of piety and what the gods like and dislike. S then asks for e"s help in teaching him the nature of piety so that he might better defend himself in court. (what is piety?)
