Euthyphro's Definition Of Piety

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In Euthyphro, Euthyphro tells Socrates he is prosecuting his own father for having accidentally killed a murderer. Euthyphro feels obligated to prosecute his father, against his family’s wishes, because the gods would want him to, and it would be impious for Euthyphro to let his father slide. Socrates asks Euthyphro what the definition of piety is. Euthyphro asserts that piety is prosecuting people for the wrong they have done, and not doing so would be impious. Socrates asks for a more conclusive definition, so Euthyphro answers that piety is what is dear to the gods. Socrates asserts that not all the gods agree on what is right and wrong, and each god has their own opinion, so there can’t be a consensus on what is pious based on what the gods hold dear. Euthyphro concludes that what the gods love is right, what the gods hate is wrong, and what the gods can’t agree upon is neither. It is reasoned that the gods love what is good because it is holy, and not that it becomes holy because the gods love it. Socrates points out that something can not be judged to be holy if it is loved by the gods, but then only be loved by the gods because it is holy, as this is circular reasoning. It is decided that what is pious is also just, but what is just is not necessarily what is pious, since piety is only a part of what is just. Piety then is the act of …show more content…
I agree with the claim that not everything that is just is pious; however, I disagree with the claim that if something is pious, then it is also just. There are several instances throughout history of religious peoples committing unjust acts against others, while believing their actions were pious and a religious obligation. Also, there are laws in place that go against the teachings of many religions, such as laws protecting abortion, or laws that are in conflict with Sharia law. Thus, sometimes what is considered to be pious is in direct confrontation with what is considered to be just or

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