Plato's Euthyphro

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Plato's Euthyphro
Question authority

• Says who?!

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Topic of the dialogue

• Stated objective to define piety
• Real topic general nature of moral responsibility

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Proposed definitions

• Prosecuting a wrongdoer, whoever it might be
• Doing what is dear to (pleases) the gods
• Doing what is loved by all the gods.
• Excellence in care of the gods

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1st def prosecuting a wrongdoer

• An example, not a definition
• Need examples to arrive at definitions
• But this example not helpful

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2nd def what is dear to the gods

• What is dear to some gods is not dear to others
• Piety is not well defined in these cases
• Hence no basis for resolving disagreement

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Requirement of objectivity

• In stating what would justify a moral claim,
  we must provide criteria that would lead everyone
  to the same answer.

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3rd def what is loved by all the gods

• Call an action god-beloved if it is loved by
  all the gods. Then the third definition says that
  piety and god-belovedness are the same.

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Argument against 3rd def

• 1. An action is god-beloved only because the gods
  love it they do not love it because it is
  god-beloved.
• 2. But an action is not pious because the gods
  love it rather, they love it because it is
  pious.
• 3. Hence, piety and god-belovedness cannot be the
  same.

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Divine command theory of morality

• States that basic moral standards derive their
  validity from the will of God. x is wrong means
  God forbids x, and x is good means God
  approves of x.
• Implies there is no morality if God does not
  exist
• Not the same as the claim that we ought to do
  what God commands

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Strengths of divine command theory

• Explains felt contrast between morality and
  science
• Explains why morality seems similar to law
• Has a chance of making morality objective

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Critique of divine command theory

• Counterintuitive implications
• Rules out many reasons for obeying Gods commands
• Gods knowledge of what we ought to do
• Gods authority over us.
• Gratitude for Gods beneficence
• Seems to leave only fear of Gods power as such a
  reason

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4th def care of the gods

• What is involved?
• sacrifice and prayer
• giving to and begging from the gods
• trading with the gods
• doing what pleases the gods.
• Thus we are in a circle
• A shift in direction occurs here

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Socratess challenge

• Reflectively examine your way of life
• Dont just rely on custom or authority
• Seek a justification that you and others can
  reasonably accept
• In the Apology Socrates accepts this challenge
  for himself