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Lucas Somma
Intro to Philosophy
Professor Ira Altman
1 March 2016
Euthyphro’s Definitions of Piety
In Euthyphro, written by Plato, the central character of the dialogue has solved a moral
dilemma, but is now under interrogation by Socrates. Socrates, in his lifelong pursuit of defining
good and evil, piety and impiety, or holiness and unholiness, stumbles across Euthyphro, who
apparently has solved the age-old question—how can we determine what is good? In this
dialogue, Euthyphro had to make a decision, should he charge his father for murdering a slave
and thereby following the law of the land, or should he honor and respect his father as most were
accustomed to doing in his day? Euthyphro made his decision prior to meeting with Socrates—
he was en route to the courts to charge his father. Socrates, utilizing his infamous socratic
method of questioning, challenges Euthyphro’s resolution to charge his father and ultimately
disproves various answers given.
At first, Euthyphro offers a vague answer to Socrates’ question, “what is piety?” His
response is that piety is too prosecute wrongdoers, whoever they might be. Socrates points out
that although this may be a valid instance of piety, it does not provide a definition. For example,
Euthyphro’s answer can be likened to a description of a dog. He could describe a dog, saying
that Frodo has floppy ears and a chubby exterior, but he has not defined what a dog is. Because
Euthyphro has only given a small example of piety, it has not yet been defined.
Euthyphro then offers an alternative answer, “Well, what is beloved by the gods is pious,
and what is not beloved by them is impious,” (Plato 5). Socrates acknowledges that this

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statement provides a definition, but is still faulty. Because the gods disagree with one another
constantly, there can never be agreement on what is good or pious. In reply, Euthyphro changes
his wording. Now, he suggests that what is good is loved by all the gods. However, it is unclear
whether or not the gods love what is good or is it good because the gods love it?
Euthyphro’s answer then turn even more religious. He suggests that piety is religious
conduct, or service to the gods. It is here that Socrates notes that to serve, is to imply that
someone or something can get better. As a modern example, cars are serviced when to somehow
perform better and people are serviced by doctors to feel better. If the gods can be serviced, they
can get better, and then “service to the gods” becomes undefinable. In his last attempt to satisfy
Socrates’ line of questioning, Euthyphro says that piety is giving to and taking from the gods. In
Socrates’ mind, this business-like transaction raises an important question—what can we offer
the gods that is equally valuable? If the gods offer supernatural ability, favor, and blessings, what
can we offer them in return? The final discrediting of Euthyphro’s responses to the question,
“what is piety?”, leave him at a blank.
In this dialogue, Plato attempts to show the reader, modern and ancient alike, that
determining what is good and evil is a hopeless task. Socrates, who is regarded as the Wisest
Man on Earth, says that he is, “cast down from a great hope I had, that I would learn from
[Euthyphro] what is pious and what is not” (Plato 14). At the end of the dialogue, Euthyphro,
likely ashamed and unsure of himself, flees the courtyard with the same lack of answers as
Socrates.