Essay on What Is Piety

Submitted By MorrowP186650
Words: 1640
Pages: 7
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Pam Morrow
Philosophy 1301.100
March 18, 2011

What is Piety? Life in ancient Greece was unique in itself. The whole of the city revolved around the Gods. The primary belief of the people of ancient Greece was individuals who had the right to be free, a democracy, as long as they abided in the laws of Greece. In other words, do what the Gods do. Religion in ancient Greece did not occur in a church or in a belief, but as part of a democratic government. To go against the Gods of Athens, was just unthinkable. For untimely generations, the Athenians worshiped the Gods. They were proud of them, knowing all their powers and tenants. The Gods were responsible for all the prosperity the city of Athens and its people. For a select and sometime secret few, this way of life did not prosper in their beliefs. In Euthyphro, a conversation took place between Socrates and Euthyphro relating to his three definitions of piety. Socrates, a philosopher seeking inquiry and on a quest, initiates the topic of piety after Euthyphro states he is prosecuting his father. He gives 3 definitions of piety in The Apology. His first definition of piety was prosecuting the wrongdoer. In line 5d of The Apology, Euthyphro, the son of a farmer who deems himself a prophet and rich, states that the pious is “to prosecute the wrongdoer” regardless of who he or she is. Socrates points out in line 6d, that this is an example of a pious thing and not what it is to be pious. This fails to explain how to the actions of pious may or may not have precedence of prosecuting the wrongdoer. Nor does it explain how to know if the act is of wrongdoing or why prosecution is the right or pious thing to do in response to someone committing a wrongdoing. The second definition was love of the Gods. Line 9e states “The pious is what all the gods love, and the opposite, what all the gods hate, is impious” (Plato’s Euthyphro). Note that Socrates never asserts that this is a false statement or a correct statement; he simply shows that Euthyphro does not understand it and it is insufficient. The third definition was the care of the Gods. This implies the idea that people and gods love things for a particular reason; not necessarily an accurate reason, but a reason non the less. One purpose of their conversation is to decipher two very different ideas of what religion consists of. Eurthyphro views religion as a kind of mercenary process. This view continues to be held in high esteem with the Athenians for centuries. The other view belong to Socrates. He does not hold true to the tales of the Gods and their happenings. Because Socrates felt positive that the Athenian people did not understand the true meaning of piety, he asks Euthyphro “What is piety?” Socrates has ulterior motives for asking; claiming to be ignorant. His reason for doing this is clear. He wants to see if Euthyphro is as wise as is claimed. If Socrates finds Euthyphro not to be the wise person as previously believed then he will bring evident this through his claim. Socrates and Euthyphro are brought up on charges of a legal matter. Socrates is accused of impiety (in other words, not doing what the Gods do), and corrupting the young by teaching false doctrines. It is not illegal to think as one pleases, but it becomes a problem if one tries to convince other people to think likewise. Socrates does not claim his opinions are just. He choses to use the role of inquirer. The purpose for this is to get people to think for themselves. He claims that the Athenians are quick to accept what has been told to them by other Athenians without considering the evidence which it is based on. Socrates feels there are dangers to people thinking for themselves. This may account for the opposition brought about by Socrates. It also brings to the surface inabilities of those who think they know far more than they actually know. Although Euthyphro shows some of the conceit and arrogance,
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