Holiness in Euthyphro Holiness in "Euthyphro" in Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 992 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 3

Holiness in Euthyphro

Holiness in "Euthyphro"

In Plato's Euthyphro, the concept of holiness emerges in the dialogue when the title character Euthyphro tells the philosopher Socrates of his intention to prosecute his father. Euthyphro is convinced of his father's guilt and thus sees himself as virtuous for valuing justice over familial respect. Because Socrates is going to court to defend himself against his accusers, who claim that his teachings corrupt the Athenian youth, it is shown that both Socrates and Euthyphro are going to court for reasons pertaining to a definition of piety or holiness. Socrates is skeptical of Euthyphro's definition of holiness and so pushes his friend to elaborate on what it means to be holy. Thus the concept of holiness takes a prominent position in the dialogue: Socrates wants a true or established definition of piety, and Euthyphro wants merely to make unsupported assertions.

Euthyphro essentially gives three definitions of piety to Socrates. First, he defines holiness by referring to himself as an example of holiness. He states that to be holy is to do as he does, that is to pursue the course of justice, or "prosecuting any one who is guilty of murder, sacrilege, or of any similar crime" (Plato, 1999, p. 15). His second definition of holiness is a clarification of the first: Euthyphro states that holiness is something which is loved by the gods. His third definition attempts to clarify still further: he states that holiness is the attempt to learn the ways in which one might please through word and actions the gods above.

Stuck Writing Your "Holiness in Euthyphro Holiness in "Euthyphro" In" Essay?

View All Our Example Holiness in Euthyphro Holiness in "Euthyphro" in Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Socrates refutes each of these three arguments by exposing their subjective nature. Socrates wants objective truth. But Euthyphro's definitions are based ultimately upon the presumption that he is right and therefore need not question himself. Each definition repeats this presumption. Socrates calls attention to it each time. To the first definition, that holiness is to do as Euthyphro does, Socrates answers by asking whether it is holy to prosecute one's father for murder. Of course this is not what Euthyphro means. Thus, Socrates obliges Euthyphro to explain what he means by prosecuting others and convicting others of some guilt.

To Euthyphro's second definition of holiness, that holiness is that which is loved of the gods, Socrates states that the very gods are always quarreling and fighting and therefore cannot be in agreement about holiness, since none of them love entirely the same things. To Euthyphro's third definition, that holiness is the act of attempting to please the gods, Socrates points out that Euthyphro is but a mere mortal and that the gods are immortal and thus can in no way gain anything from Euthyphro. In this manner, Socrates points out Euthyphro's pride, lack of humility, and lack of objectivity. For Socrates, all truth is grounded in humility and in objective awareness, as any true definition of holiness should be.

Socrates' goal in this dialogue is to show Euthyphro that the latter's understanding of piety is….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Holiness In Euthyphro Holiness In Euthyphro In" (2013, February 09) Retrieved June 29, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/holiness-euthyphro-holiness-euthyphro-85780

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Holiness In Euthyphro Holiness In Euthyphro In" 09 February 2013. Web.29 June. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/holiness-euthyphro-holiness-euthyphro-85780>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Holiness In Euthyphro Holiness In Euthyphro In", 09 February 2013, Accessed.29 June. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/holiness-euthyphro-holiness-euthyphro-85780
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example