The Euthyphro Dilemma From The Question Socrates - 1223 Words

The Euthyphro dilemma originates from the question Socrates asks Euthyphro in Plato’s Euthyphro dialogue. He asks â€Å"Is the pious loved by the god because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?†, in simpler terms, ‘Are morally good acts willed by God because they are morally good, or are they morally good because they are willed by God?’. This argument creates a huge dilemma for Divine Command theorists as their theory lies solely on the claim that morality is dependent on God’s will. However the question asked by Socrates in response to Divine command theory produces extreme difficulty for the theorists when attempting to answer the question. A main reason for this is the fact that Divine command theorists tend to adopt the second part of the question, ‘morally good acts are morally good because they are willed by God’, but this would then create the possibility that acts such as murder or cruelty could be consi dered morally right if God willed it to be acceptable. However, if you were to choose the first part of the question, ‘morally good acts are willed by god because they are morally good’, then this would mean that the acts themselves have a property that makes then morally good independently of the gods, therefore, dismissing Divine command theory. This essay aims to explain and defend some of the main responses to the Euthyphro dilemma and look at how they manage to respond to both sides of the question introduced by Socrates. Despite theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Plato s The Euthyphro 1723 Words   |  7 Pagesdialogues. Accompanied by his teacher, Socrates and his most notorious disciple, Aristotle, Plato set the groundworks of Western philosophy and science amid dialogues such as Apology, Euthyphro, Republic and Laws. These dialogues provided some of the earliest handlings of political inquiries from a philosophical viewpoint. In the Euthyphro, Plato composes a dialogue that transpires in 399 BC, weeks before the hearing of Socrates, for which Socrates and Euthyphro try to determine an absolute meaningRead MoreEuthyphro s Dilemma Of Plato s Euthyphro968 Words   |  4 PagesIn Euthyphro, Socrates discusses with Euthyphro about what the â€Å"piety† is. The conversation leads to what most modern philosophers now define as Euthyphro’s dilemma. It is stated that† Is something pious because the gods love it or the gods love it because it is pious?† This dilemma is also known as the â€Å"Divine Command Theory†, which has puzzled many Christian philosophers throughout the years. Socrates’ account seems to disagree with Euthyphro’s. This paper will argue against the dilemma in Socrates’Read MoreDefining Piety in Euthyphro by Plato Essay586 Words   |  3 PagesMain question of the Dialogue The main question of this dialogue is the definition of the word holy or piety. Euthyphro brags that he is more knowledgeable than his father on matters relating to religion. In this case, Socrates suggests to Euthyphro to define that term. The first definition fails to satisfy Socrates because of its limitation in application. Apparently, Socrates perceives this definition as an example rather than a definition. Subsequent arguments and line of questioning lead to fiveRead MoreSocrates Cross Examination Of Euthyphro s Beliefs On What Constitutes As Pious1492 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates’ cross examination of Euthyphro’s beliefs on what constitutes as pious and impious explicates the the argument, â€Å"is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?†. In demonstrating how this aligns as a real dilemma for Euthyphro in that the gods are not the source of morality, and how it is a false dilemma for Socrates be cause he believes morality to be ambiguous, would be to further analyze the question in where morality stems from. InRead MoreEuthyphro Dialogue Essay examples1485 Words   |  6 PagesIn the dialogue Euthyphro (Cahn and Markie), Plato presents an argument against the divine command meta-ethical theory. While the argument is presented against the predominantly pantheistic Greek religions, the argument can be easily applied to the monotheistic Abrahamic religions. The dialogue starts off with the two main characters: Euthyphro and Socrates. Socrates has been indicted for corrupting the youth of Athens and Euthyphro is indicting his father for murdering a day-labourer who killedRead MorePlato And The Euthyphro Dilemma1204 Words   |  5 Pages Siddhanth Goyal Does morality stem from God? Or does it exist independently of his presence, not subject to arbitrary decisions? The first discussion over these questions appeared in Platos Euthyphro, in which Plato chronicles the proceedings of a highly repetitive argument between Socrates and Euthyphro, a prophet and holy man, over the nature of piety and holiness. The questions produced in this dialogue have been expanded to remain relevant even in a modern religious context. It has achievedRead MoreClarke s Cosmological Argument On The Existence Of God1648 Words   |  7 Pagesidea of if there were to only be dependent beings then it would not really make sense since an â€Å"entity of infinitely dependent beings† makes the whole group itself dependent—therefore making it hard to explain from which specific dependent being are all of these dependent beings coming from. So therefore, according to Clarke, there has to be an existent independent being. The Principle of Sufficient Reason is one of the main propositions that is used to support the Cosmological Argument. The PrincipleRead MoreEuthyphro Dilemma And The Dilemma1374 Words   |  6 PagesEuthyphro Dilemma The Euthyphro dilemma is the impasse that Euthyphro finds himself at the end of a discussion with Socrates. The discussion revolves around Socrates asking Euthyphro what is the nature of piety and impiety, or right and wrong. By the end of the discussion, Euthyphro could not come to a decision that suited Socrates because all of Euthyphro’s answers were logically incorrect. In order to better understand Euthyphro’s stance on piety, Socrates asks Euthyphro a series of questions andRead MoreEuthyphro : The Definition Of Piety959 Words   |  4 Pages The literary work entitled Euthyphro, attempts to define the word piety, or justice before the Gods. This leads to a dilemma pertaining to one who thinks that morality comes from God. Euthyphro is looking for the definition of the word piety, as the word itself seems to be incapable of being restricted to one understanding. In this essay I will describe the different given definitions of piety, argue the best definition give n by Socrates, and analyze and criticize the definitions. The DefinitionsRead MorePlato : The Trial And Death Of Socrates1107 Words   |  5 Pages#1 Plato: The Trial and Death of Socrates Euthyphro In Platos Euthyphro, Euthyphro is surprised to see Socrates at the courthouse because he doesnt seem like the kind of person that should be anywhere around a courthouse. They both discuss why Socrates is there in which he tells Euthyphro that he is being indicted by Meletus for corrupting the youth because he does not believe in the old gods of Athens and makes up new gods. Socrates goes on by telling Euthyphro his issue is not if he is being