Essay on What Is Piety

Submitted By MorrowP186650
Words: 1640
Pages: 7
Open Document
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,
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on What Is Piety

Euthyphro and Piety Essay

1 Euthyphro Eneasha Ackles PHI208: Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor Craig Thompson September 30, 2013 Running Head: Euthyphro 2 Euthyphro Euthyphro, is a quest for wisdom and the definition of holiness/piety. The dialogue Euthyphro was written by Socrates' protege Plato during the weeks leading up Socrates' trial in which he was accused of corrupting the youth in Athens. It features Socrates and religious expert Euthyphro engaged in a discussion attempting…

Words 1057 - Pages 5

Definition Of Piety

Plato’s Euthyphro, Socrates and Euthyphro contemplate the objective meaning of piety. Many arguments are presented to attempt to address the essence of piety, and in doing so a fundamental problem between arises. That is, if it is possible to have an objective definition of any concept or object. In this essay we will analyze Euthyphro’s definition of piety, and also investigate the contradiction, which arises regarding the subjectivity of piety. The dialogue is set outside King Archon’s office in Athens. Socrates…

Words 979 - Pages 4

Euthyphro and Piety Essay

survey the ways in which decisions are formed for what purpose. Socrates and Euthyphro are discussing Euthyphro and why he is bringing his father to court to prosecute him for murder. They were talking about if the murder was just or unjust. Euthyphro is prosecuting his father, because he feels like it is pious to do so; however Socrates challenges us both the reader and Euthyphro to examine how piety is defined. Socrates question, what piety and impiety means. This then sparks a conversation…

Words 1675 - Pages 7

Piety: Euthyphro Pg Essay

Piety? There is no exact definition of piety in Euthyphro. Socrates begins a conversation with Euthyphro, an “expert” in religion, in hope of seeking a definition of piety before an indictment. Euthyphro gives Socrates four definitions of piety, but none seem to satisfy Socrates, leaving the question unanswered and without a good definition. As the dialogue begins, Euthyphro is about to prosecute his father for murdering a murderer. On the other hand Socrates is also about to be prosecuted and…

Words 910 - Pages 4

Euthyphro's Definition Of Piety

the trial of Socrates around 399 BCE. During this Socrates and Euthyphro tries to find a definitive meaning for the word holiness (or Piety). The argument of the Euthyphro is to offer a proper definition of piety. This is a result of the fact that Euthyphro wants to answer Socrates’ question of “what is piety?” Socrates is simply looking for a universal describer: what do pious things have in common that can be used to identify them. In this paper, I will describe Euthyphro’s idea of how ‘pious’ is…

Words 1495 - Pages 6

Euthyphro Essay

the youth of the city. He was indicted by Meletus and awaiting his trail on the porch of the King of Archon when he met Euthyphro. It was at this point he engaged in a debate about piety. In this paper, I will examine that debate and present my own conclusion about its purpose as well as my own definition of piety. Holiness, or piousness, is the center of the conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro. Both of the men met on the porch of the King to deal with a legal matter; Socrates the…

Words 1289 - Pages 6

Socrates And Euthyphro Piety

Euthyphro, Socrates engages in a conversation with Euthyphro, who is a priest in the city-state Athens, about piety. Piety is defined as the act of being holy or being very religious in actions and of devotion. In this dialogue, it is important to note in the beginning, Socrates willfully suggests that he is the pupil to Euthyphro’s mentorship and expertise in religion and piety. However, what is important is the facts that the roles are reversed as Socrates in the end becomes the mentor to Euthyphro’s…

Words 361 - Pages 2

Euthyphro essay

Justice and Piety are two closely related ideas, with different existing beliefs about their relationship. Through logical analysis, Philosophers have deduced the only valid relationship between Justice and Piety to be that Piety is a part of Justice. Some people however refuse to acknowledge this and maintain that Justice and Piety are Coextensive, or that Justice is a part of Piety. This paper will attempt to convince such people of the flaws in their beliefs, and show them that the only viable…

Words 917 - Pages 4

Essay about Filial Piety

Essay about using ‘filial piety’ as an example, explain how cultural practices/values change Introduction and background: When it comes to filial piety, it should be a complex concept with different meaning and value in distinct period and region. Dating back to the history of filial piety, Chinese Confucian is the most representative pillar which claims: A respect for the parents and ancestors. However, filial piety is not unique for Chinese. East Asia country like Japan and Korea also had…

Words 1089 - Pages 5

Euthyphro and Mysticism Essay

question being what is the definition of piety? The main reason that Socrates asks this question is so that he can use the answer to defend himself, but while searching for the definition they find much controversy in Euthyphro’s action of bringing his father to court. It is clear that Socrates is looking for a universal definition of piety, in which all actions can be measure to determine whether or not they are pious. In order for the definition to be universal it must express what is essential about…

Words 1398 - Pages 6